Archived front differential siezed

[_luke]

while driving in 4WD on snowpacked roads last night, my front diff made some funny noises, then locked up completely. By backing up & using a combo of 4-low and 2wd, I was able to get it off the road.



Any ideas? Bearings? Do I need a whole new front axle?



thanks,

_luke

 

[Udaloy]

snow packed?

_luke,



Do you mean by, 'snow packed', that there was a few inches of snow that you were driving on top of? It sounds to me like something that would happen if you were driving on semi-dry pavement.



Since you don't have a signature with your truck info, I can't tell if you'd still have warranty coverage. I would certainly have DC look at it if that's the case. It doesn't sound good, nor does it sound like something that was your fault, if indeed there was snow.

 

[_luke]

hmmm... . truck info is in my sig, but here it is anyway:



2001. 5 2500 4x4 5-speed, 3. 55 stock drivetrain.



no warrenty.



The roads were very snowpacked (6 inches or so), and I had been in 4wd all afternoon. probably driven 20 miles or so.



_luke

 

[Udaloy]

Oops, you did have your truck info, it just didn't show when I was composing a response.



Have you tried to move the truck today? I guess I'd jack up the front of the truck to try to find where the binding occurs. Does an '01 have the axle shaft disconnect? There could be an issue with that.

 

[_luke]

the truck is stranded up in the mtns - I'm going to get back up there on wed after some of the snow melts. We'll see how things are then.



thanks for the advice.

 

[pwerwagn]

with the x-case in nuetral, see if you can turn the driveshaft. if not, its probably something internal.

 

[_luke]

well... I had the truck hauled down this weekend. It wouldn't even roll with both x-fer case & trans in neutral.



Tore it apart & there was not a drop of oil in the front diff. dry as a bone. full of metal dust.



The pinion bearings & gear were toast, as well as the ring gear, but other than that, not too much damage.



I hope to have it back together this week.

 

[Udaloy]

So how'd you lose the oil? If it were the axle seals, I'd guess the inside of the wheels would be coated with the stuff. Pinion seal?

 

[Howard Durand]

Maybe there never was any oil in there. Had it ever been checked?