2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission My rear axle just blew up

[DStrong]

I heard load clunking noise from the rear axle and figured it was time to tow the truck home. After removing the cover i found about 1/2 pound of metal. I can't believe that their are no teeth left on the spider gears. The ring an pinion are ok i think. I have posi, 3. 55, 3/4 ton dana 70,2001 4x4 with 130000 miles. the dealer change the pinion seal and bearing 20k ago make me wonder if he screwed it up?What are my options,Can i put a dane 70(complet axle) from a 93,into my 2001, should i rebuild?,can i do it myself? Can i just put a none posi dif. in my housing cost is a concern. HEEEELP





Thanks Dave

 

[jimk]

dana 70

I heard load clunking noise from the rear axle and figured it was time to tow the truck home. After removing the cover i found about 1/2 pound of metal. I can't believe that their are no teeth left on the spider gears. The ring an pinion are ok i think. I have posi, 3. 55, 3/4 ton dana 70,2001 4x4 with 130000 miles. the dealer change the pinion seal and bearing 20k ago make me wonder if he screwed it up?What are my options,Can i put a dane 70(complet axle) from a 93,into my 2001, should i rebuild?,can i do it myself? Can i just put a none posi dif. in my housing cost is a concern. HEEEELP





Thanks Dave

Dave if the ring gear and pinion is good, I would clean housing, bearings ect, and install new or good used spider gears. I would not thing a good used rear end, pos- trac, would cost a lot of money, a few hundred $ good luck Jimk

 

[DStrong]

I found a new posi diff. for 640. 00 . What can i expect to pay for it to be installed. Can i do it myself or am i better off to pay some one to install it. Come Monday i will have a chance to call some shops. I'm still concern that a axle with only 130,000 miles on it self destructed. Thanks Dave

 

[redram]

Dave,



The 'axle' did not self destruct. You had a problem with a pinion seal and then 20K later, you have a spider gear problem. Now, what else do we nto know about this situation?



Are you the original owner?

What type of maintenance have you performed?

What type of service (heavy hauling every day or running empty every day?)



No, this is not common. I have a friend who drove his 96 4X4 2500 375,000 before he sold it for an 2004. I have 174K on my 96.

The posi units will sometimes stop working but not a catestropic failure of breaking teeth off of spider gears. Were you pulling stumps?



Just kidding - good luck. Regarding installing the rear diff - not knowing what your mechanical skill level is - hard for anyone to comment on whether you can do this or not. Also, what type of tools do you have available?



Cheers,



Redram.

 

[CMckee]

Sorry to hear about your luck, i can totaly empathize with you. I had to rebuild mine at 240,000 km's. I had to get a new differential carrier unit as the bearings had worn themselves into it. I had mine rebuilt for me as there is some pretty funky set up procedures for diff's, proper size shims,spacers for proper amount of gear lash and stuff. It is quite an involved procedure if you get a chance to read it in the factory manual.

 

[DStrong]

I purchase the truck at 105,000 from a retired guy who pull a 5 th wheel. He changed the oil in the axle 4 times in 105,000 miles(give him a metal!)I drive the truck like a baby . I sent the truck to a drive line shop today. The owner says he has seen this happen were the clutch pack get well worn out and causes the diff to fail. He quoted me 1100 to install a new posi diff. worse case price probable a little lower. Interesting he also quoted 800 for a new stadard diff. installed. The other strange thing about this is that the left rear tire was wearing much faster than the right,i probable should have pulled the cover months ago!



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"The other strange thing about this is that the left rear tire was wearing much faster than the right,i probable should have pulled the cover months ago!"



HMMmmm - THAT statement makes me wonder if both rear tires are the same brand/size? Difference in rolling diameter would seriously overload the LSD, AND probably cause unusual tire wear...

 

[DStrong]

They were the same size, but one size to small according to the sticker on the door. Also my fuel milage has been in the 15 to 16 range ,50 % freeway 70mph and 50% city. For pease of mind I'm going to have the front axle cheaked out at the same time.



Thank for the help Dave

 

[DStrong]

Just got the truck back from a great drive line shop in San Jose ,It turn out the ring and pinion were bad,he was able to save the diff case. Everything else was replaced with new. The large gear that the spider gear meshes with had no teeth left and the clutch disk were worn down to metal! Total cost was 1160 with a 6 month warrenty. He said this is not uncommon for a truck that has a history of hauling.



Thanks again for the help. Dave

 

[dodge cummins]

as soon as you get your truck put 75w140 synthetic in the diff