Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Ugly Sounds from rearend.....

[Kiohio]

Was it something I ate???

I could only wish.

Headed home from a pick-up, approx 14k behind me (gooseneck etc).

Pulling onto the hard road, something grabbed and made a snapping noise.

It did it a few times in the turn then was fine after getting underway.

At the next intersection, same thing.

I pulled into a gas station, big mistake, all concrete.

Things started popping BAD as I wove in and out of traffic and around the pumps.

I hopped out scanned the underside of the truck, everything looks fine, UJ's in decent shape nothing out of place.

It gets to the point on slight grades it is jumping a good bit, I put it in 4wd, to finish the journey home.

When I get home, I have someone drop it in gear while sitting still, foot on brake.



The drive shaft turns and makes tons on noise, truck sits still..... I :{ and #@$%!



Any ideas? My best guess, until further inspection, axle shaft or pinion splines.

The fastest way to fix it, is get another rearend.

96 2500 auto 4. 10.

What rearends will interchange?

I need the truck daily.

Gonna have to drag out the '89 again... ...

Thanks, KO

 

[B.G. Smith]

Probably stripped out the spider gears in the carrier. Could be an axle but I wouldn't think it would make a lot of noise. bg

 

[BAnsley]

Had a neighbor shear off all the ring gear bolts in a d70 so we switched to a d80. I'm shure he would never overload the truck. :-laf

 

[Kiohio]

Can the carrier be replaced without resetting gears?

What do you think would be the most economical solution.



KO

 

[B.G. Smith]

The carrier could be replaced and use the old gears but the clearances(gear lash, bearing preload, etc. )would have to be rechecked. bg

 

[Kiohio]

Ok

I'll tear into it monday. See what the carnage looks like.

Start shoppin' for a rearend too... ...





KO

 

[Champane Flight]

Change grease lately?

If you did and went with conventional grease, did you add anti slip?

 

[RamRunnerRob]

Hi KIOHIO! I am taking a Dana 70 3:54 out of my 94 2500 next week to put in a Dana 80. I am gonna install a much heavier utility body and wanted the extra capacity from an 80... My 70 has a ton of miles on it, but new brakes, seals and runs smooth and quiet... Use Lucas gear lube N it. would not B afraid of it, if I wasn't gonna put on the really heavy body. . I live in Waverly, a stone's thro from U. . cell: 740-352-9025 RamRunnerRob (aka Bobby)

 

[dpuckett]

My mom's pickup did the same thing when the LSD clutches were toast. I was coming down from Estes Park to Loveland and popped and ground around every curve in Big Thompson Canyon. The spider gears were shot, and one axle shaft had some wear on it, but I put new parts in and kept on going. Mom bought the truck from me 4 mo later. It may not be as bad as you think.



If you need it, I have a good D70 axle. 3. 54 though.



Daniel

 

[y-knot]

Wow, the drive shaft turns while the truck stays still... . I would be sick. Good luck with the fix and remember, anything worth doing is worth doing right.

 

[Kiohio]

Believe me I am sick... .

It's my work truck but also the reason I keep the '89 for a back-up.

It's not as nice of a ride as the 96 but it will get the Job done, just not look as good doing it LOL



Champagne:

I haven't been into anything on the truck.

I checked it out and everything was full etc.

Have no idea what oil is in the rearend.



KO

 

[Kiohio]

If I am reading correctly, this is a Dana 80?

More precisely a Dana 80 centersection with Dana 70 everything else.

Is this correct??



KO

 

[Kiohio]

Well I got it tore apart tonight.

Looks like the rearend got hungry and ate the spider gears.

The ring gear didn't look too bad, just a few small nicks along the edge of the teeth.

Do I have to buy the spider gears from Dodge??

How hard are they to change?



KO

 

[B.G. Smith]

Not hard to change, axles have to be pulled out enough to clear the side gears, remove the screw that secures the big pin going through the spiders, remove big pin, turn the spiders a little to clear the carrier housing and remove, should then be able to lift the side gears out. There should be aftermarket gears, try a search on google or dogpile for Dana parts. bg

 

[Kiohio]

Update 2

Got it completely disassembled last night.

The spiders took their toll on the carrier...

The clutches were toast about 50k miles ago from the looks of things.

They were almost into the large thick outer piece the clutches ride against.

The sides where the 2 larger gears ride close to the clutch pack both have little "gear imprints" on them.

Nicks in the gears both pinion and ring. Tone ring trashed.

Bearings don't look like they have been turning in the bores BUT the shims are starting to be pushed out from under the bearing, so they must have been turning at least a little.



KO

 

[RamRunnerRob]

Kohio... My 70 is still available, (I think, if the local dude doesn't have the $$$) Runs great... UR welcome 2 drive it loaded or unloaded, I pull a 20' flatdeckover with a 6500lb Daewoo,. Practacally new brakes , seals, Lucas gear lube... Quite as a mouse. . call me 740. 352. 9025. (24-7) Let's talk... (Bobby)

 

[Kiohio]

Ramrunner... . PM sent

KO