Spider gear safety question

[taxx]

I am trying to determine if this vibration and grinding feeling in the front is coming from my gears. I looked at them and they look badly worn on the edges like they had been hit with a hammer. I was wondering if this would cause a vibration/grinding? If so is it safe to take the spider gears out (top and bottom not sides that hold the axles in) and drive around to see what happens the the feeling? If I take the front shaft off (it already is) it wouldn't put any presure on the diff so could this little experiment go wrong or will it work?

 

[FMExplorer]

I beleive if you take out the top gears the sides will also fall out. Let me ask this - is the wear on the gears you are referring to on the spider or on the ring and pinion?

J

 

[taxx]

on the spider. Like I just posted in the other post. I am going to not mess with it. I will be going soon to the specialized shop for their oppinion. If they think it is in there it may just be cheaper to get a rebuilt front diff with my gearing and just swap them out.