Okay fellas, I have a situation here and am seeking further guidance as i intend to purchase replacement parts first thing in the morning...
SETUP: I am running a '74 axle housing with 4.56 USA standard gears, Grizzly locker, and 31 spline chromo axles.
This third was setup about a year ago with 100% new stuff. There were ZERO clearance issues at the time.
INITIAL ISSUE: The pinion nut backed off when driving on the interstate. It was a slow process and initially made my coast sound extremely loud. I pulled over to inspect but did not see the loose nut and continued. Later, the coast sound became exponentially louder. I then lost power and pulled over.
The pinion yoke, u-joint, and slip shaft we gone! The pinion was canted to rest at the 7 o'clock position and would not move by hand. We had a wrecker tow it home on a flat bed.
CURRENT ISSUE: I am not in Charleston right now so I had someone pull the pinion support and pinion to get an initial damage assessment.
He said the gears are obviously toast but also noticed that it appears the ring gear has worn a notch in the pinion pilot bearing housing. (see picture with arrow below).
As of now, I intend to order: pilot bearing, 2 pinion bearings, R+P, and gasket / o-ring. We still have plenty of shims from initial setup so that is not a factor.
I plan to pull the 3rd member out when I arrive in Charleston on Monday to complete the inspection and, depending if the new parts have arrived, begin the repairs.
[SIZE="3"]
My question to you gurus is... What could cause the ring gear to notch the housing like this? Are there other factors I should be considering? What am I missing here?[/SIZE]
Thanks,
Mike 8-)
![[Image: 2012-11-299517-37-4595661.jpg]](http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/mchuzie/2012-11-299517-37-4595661.jpg)
![[Image: 2012-11-299517-37-0395275.jpg]](http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/mchuzie/2012-11-299517-37-0395275.jpg)
SETUP: I am running a '74 axle housing with 4.56 USA standard gears, Grizzly locker, and 31 spline chromo axles.
This third was setup about a year ago with 100% new stuff. There were ZERO clearance issues at the time.
INITIAL ISSUE: The pinion nut backed off when driving on the interstate. It was a slow process and initially made my coast sound extremely loud. I pulled over to inspect but did not see the loose nut and continued. Later, the coast sound became exponentially louder. I then lost power and pulled over.
The pinion yoke, u-joint, and slip shaft we gone! The pinion was canted to rest at the 7 o'clock position and would not move by hand. We had a wrecker tow it home on a flat bed.
CURRENT ISSUE: I am not in Charleston right now so I had someone pull the pinion support and pinion to get an initial damage assessment.
He said the gears are obviously toast but also noticed that it appears the ring gear has worn a notch in the pinion pilot bearing housing. (see picture with arrow below).
As of now, I intend to order: pilot bearing, 2 pinion bearings, R+P, and gasket / o-ring. We still have plenty of shims from initial setup so that is not a factor.
I plan to pull the 3rd member out when I arrive in Charleston on Monday to complete the inspection and, depending if the new parts have arrived, begin the repairs.
[SIZE="3"]
My question to you gurus is... What could cause the ring gear to notch the housing like this? Are there other factors I should be considering? What am I missing here?[/SIZE]
Thanks,
Mike 8-)
'77 351w- Explorer EFI, 4R70W, 4-link, lockers, 4.56, 35" MT/Rs with a severe rock addiction.
mokin:
Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.
![[Image: sig2.jpg]](http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll176/mchuzie/sig2.jpg)
mokin:Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.