2004 Merc. Mountaineer help

[2001GTTT]

driving on the highway today, I started smelling gear oil, I didnt think it was my suv, so I continued on. I glanced out of my mirror to see white smoke everywhere. So I shut it down, and upon looking saw that where the driveshaft goes into the front Diff. was completely blown apart, metal was missing, so i got the truck flatbedded home. Ill try and post up pics later, but does anyone know what parts I need to get? I am clueless with these suvs. Thanks guys.

Clark.

 

[Curtis]

driving on the highway today, I started smelling gear oil, I didnt think it was my suv, so I continued on. I glanced out of my mirror to see white smoke everywhere. So I shut it down, and upon looking saw that where the driveshaft goes into the front Diff. was completely blown apart, metal was missing, so i got the truck flatbedded home. Ill try and post up pics later, but does anyone know what parts I need to get? I am clueless with these suvs. Thanks guys.

Clark.

First - Welcome to the forum.

This almost hard to believe. The front diff must have been leaking for a while and empty and the heat from having no oil must have caused the failure. Still thats amazing if the case broke.

I think you're only option is a junk yard unit...

Would still love to see pictures though!

 

[zerodevil]

ditto, your looking at a new diff unit, and a junk yard would work, just make sure its got the same gear ratio. Id replace the front drive shaft as well just to be safe..and get the T-case checked for damage, no telling what happened to the drive line when that thing fraged.

 

[jrford]

please be sure to post a pic,
x2 on a diff, depending on the damage, although by the sounds of it probably not, rebuild?

 

[2001GTTT]

ill throw up some pics, the damage is quite entertaining. on another note, the gear oil caused the engine bay to catch on fire...on the side of the road no less..

 

[Curtis]

ill throw up some pics, the damage is quite entertaining. on another note, the gear oil caused the engine bay to catch on fire...on the side of the road no less..

How did you get the fire out? Hopefully none of the wiring harness melted...

 

[2001GTTT]

opened the hood an prayed lol, it went out and it did not damage anything from what I could see. pics enroute...

 

[2001GTTT]

here are the pics...you can see where the driveshaft goes into the diff, half of the metal is gone!! wtf!!
Oh, and theres some pics of my mustang too, but I hope you guys have some suggestions about the driveshaft eating my diff.!! lol


http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv134/2001GTTT/

 

[Curtis]

Let me help with putting the pictures here... (nice stang BTW)

 

[Curtis]

nasty stuff!...
A new or junk yard unit are your only options....Id go for the junk yard unit... Im sure you can find one and will probably get a small warranty with it too.

 

[2001GTTT]

Thanks for all your help. So I just need a new diff. unit then. Do you think this is something I should tackle myself??

 

[Curtis]

Thanks for all your help. So I just need a new diff. unit then. Do you think this is something I should tackle myself??

Im no mechanic (but have removed and replaced motors and transmissions), and Id try it myself.
If you have some descent tools, and a floor jack you should be able to do it.
Get yourself a Haynes manual (or go to Barnes and Nobel or Borders and just read it) to get an idea of what tools you'll need and whats involved.

 

[2001GTTT]

thanks alot man you've been a great help

 

[jrford]

Bummer, good news you should find a bunch of junkyards ones, i was quoted anywhere from $200-400 for one when i searched for 3.73's. If the used one looks clean it might bolt right up, but while its out, it might be a very good option to have it rebuilt before you put it in, or have them install it for you - imho. If you had an hoist and air tools it would be easy and done in an hour or two. I'm guessing its a two-three person job to lift it up in there and bolt it in, might be a little tough for one person and a jack. Like Curtis said if you have some experience and a good set of tools, and give yourself a lot of time maybe. I noticed you live in PA, i bet you guys use salt on the roads. . .might make those bolts tough to get out with that rust. . just a thought.

By chance was it leaking from the pinion seal before? Last pic that oil on the bottom of the diff looks like an old leak was present. Also the bearing looks 'spun' could have been before or after hard to tell.

Just a guess: If there was a leak present that might indicate that the bearings are getting bad and they caused the seals fail, what might have started as a slow leak suddenly turn big and drained the case in a matter of minutes, no oil on the bearings will cause them to fail and lock up, something has to give and i'm only guessing but the bearing race tried to turn inside the diff case, leading to the case to xplode. . .

 

[2001GTTT]

yea that sounds like a good observation. I never noticed anything leaking before, oh well....whats done is done.