Passenger side axle snapped. Truck wont move in 4wd. Has this happened to anyone ?

[ARQ91]

The other night after switching to 4hi my axle snapped going down the road. I was going probably 30 at the most (after engaging 4wd). It switched fine into 4wd and has never given me issues. The front left wheel spins and the diff seems to be ok, however after changing the axle I can only drive in 2wd. The front right tire will drag like it's locked up. The caliper is fine. I hear it grind a little. Any input would be helpful as I am selling this truck and need to fix it asap. Is my diff toast ?

 

[RonJR]

I'm guessing the snapped CV shaft is the result of a problem in the diff. Otherwise they don't normally snap off during highway use.

Sounds like something locked up the passenger side output shaft of the diff causing the right front wheel to snap the CV shaft. When you're in 2wd the ADD disconnects the right CV axle from the diff, so the wheel and shaft spin freely, but when you go to 4wd the ADD engages and whatever problem you have in the diff is still there.

You're probably going to have to drop the diff to get to the bottom of this. But first, since it's a lot easier, pull the cover off the ADD mechanism and see what's going on in there. Could be some broken pieces jamming it up when it tries to engage.

 

[ARQ91]

Ill do that and get back. Can I find an output shaft or am I better changing the whole diff ? It's relatively easy to do, just a pain in the ass while on the ground.

 

[RonJR]

Ill do that and get back. Can I find an output shaft or am I better changing the whole diff ? It's relatively easy to do, just a pain in the ass while on the ground.

Not knowing where the problem is, I'd be inclined to drop the diff and open it up to see what's going on. You could pull the ADD mechanism off the side first, but that's not much easier while under the truck than just pulling the whole diff, and working on it on the bench.

But first, verify for sure that it's the diff that causing the hangup. Try to turn the center front drive shaft while in 2wd. It should turn freely even with the wheels on the ground. Jack up both wheels, make sure the brakes aren't dragging, and test both left and right wheels to see if they turn while in 2wd. Watch the center drive shaft while you turn the driver's side wheel. If it turns it definitely means the diff is locked up on the passenger side. Start the engine, shift to 4wd, shut down, and try to turn the passenger wheel again. The driver's side wheel should turn in the opposite direction. If neither wheel will turn, the diff is locked up.

 

[ARQ91]

Did the brakes yesterday so I had a chance to peel underneath. My center front drive shaft doesn't spin at all.


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[CruzadoBlanco]

so it spun after the axle broke but not after you replaced it with a new one correct? I'd start by pulling the new axle out of the truck and see if that is the problem. It could be a bad axle that doesn't have crap for angle in the joints. If that doesn't solve the issue get a light and look into the diff where the axle splines in. The V6 trucks usually have a needle bearing that the axle rides on while the v8s have a bushing. It's possible the needle bearing was damaged and needs to be replaced.

If it's neither of those things then the diff will most likely need to come out and the halves split to really see where the issue is. but if the front diff has been damaged there should be metal on the magnetic drain plug.

 

[duffdog]

I think it would be much less labor to simply slap another complete front axle assembly in there from a recycler and be done with it. Setting up gears and differentials is no joke (I used to do it professionally) and you will have little chance of getting everything correctly repaired or even installed without crazy whining noises from the gears unless you have all the proper tools for the job.

 

[ARQ91]

I'm in Las Vegas right now and it's overheating [emoji35]


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[ARQ91]

I need to find an electric fan somewhere and rig that thing on to make it home.


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