calling all 4x4/driveline experts

[Purdue72]

Long story short:

1995 F-150 4x4 (226k)
I was driving to work on a small hill and, clank clank clank, no power to the wheels and a major noise. I figured I busted a driveshaft or u-joint. (by the way it was pitchblack outside and pouring rain) Trying anything, I tried 4 wheel high then low, nothing. 2 hours later and towed home, I put it in gear and crawled under to find the driveshaft spinning. I put it in 4 high and now both shafts are spinning. Could I have simultaneously broken both differentials?

I need help, anybody?

 

[boominXplorer]

the front diffy could of already been toast. Watch out then you get underneith with the truck in drive, it might cetch in the diffy and more forward

 

[Purdue72]

yeah, i wasn't directly underneath

 

[glfredrick]

It sounds almost like you have toasted spider gears...

I just got done replacing a set in my kid's Cherokee rear axle - they were toast - almost all the teeth were sheared off - It would catch for a second, then bang and slip.

One other question - do you have "lunchbox lockers" in your axles? They can also let go - and slip if the teeth get rounded off - which can happen with sudden shear loads (like one letting go and then shattering the other one).

You will have to pull the axle covers to find out for sure.

If it is spider gears - don't fear - they can easily be replaced for about $70 or so right in your driveway - no setup required.

Let us know and we can advise you further.

 

[Firefightermike]

You will have to pull the axle covers to find out for sure.


Thats where I would start...Just get an oil Pan and drain the Diff and remove the cover and take a look see.

 

[Purdue72]

Update:

Went ahead and put it in the shop. All 12 bolts on the ring gear were sheared off, apparently someones been in there before and over torqued them. Anyrate, they'll give it an unwarranteed "band-aid" for $250 or fix it right with a warrantee for $750. The 4wheel is another story, I'm just getting it inspected for now and fix it down the road.

One question though, he quoted me $400 for a "locker". Is that something I can do later for less money in my driveway?

 

[glfredrick]

That would depend on the locker type. If he is doing a Detroit - then no - if he is doing a Lock-Rite - then yes... The Lock-Rite's sell for about $250 on average, and can be installed without special tools. They just replace the spider and side gears.

I am not sure what the difference in the $250 and $750 jobs might be... He is either fixing the gearset or not... Sounds a bit suspicious to me... For the 750, I would expect a full new locking carrier (Detroit) all set up and ready to go with your ring gear and pinion, if they were not torn up by the process...

 

[Purdue72]

for 250 he's: cleaning it really well, replacing the ring gear bolts and putting it all back together.
for 750 he's: doing the above as well as replacing all worn/damaged parts on the carrier with new roller bearings and giving a warantee.