Drive shaft spins, truck doesn't move

[Black dawg]

Have you guys actually seen a pinion shaft fail before?? Genuinely curious, because I have never seen that happen, especially with something sized for a 3/4 ton pickup

 

[Hawk601]

I meant a video of the rear diff operating

 

[Cubey]

I meant a video of the rear diff operating

Yeah, upload to youtube then share the link here, instead of trying to upload to here.

 

[Cubey]

Have you guys actually seen a pinion shaft fail before?? Genuinely curious, because I have never seen that happen, especially with something sized for a 3/4 ton pickup

It couldn't really be anything else other than the pinion, the ring gear, or the axle shafts. I tend to think in steps. The first link after the driveshaft is the pinion. Then the ring gear. Then the axle shafts. (to overly simplify)

 

[Hawk601]

I think I have it narrowed to the driver's side axle shaft. Tht gear s spinning and the passenger side isn't

 

[Jesus Freak]

That's pretty heavy, man. So, it just went! No noise? Or signs? Just before it happened, did you say anything like, "hey man, watch this!"?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

It's a little late, but is it possible that the transfer case was in neutral while being towed? That would cause it to roll even in park.

 

[Nero]

Pulling the axle shaft is easy enough to check, but I'd still take a second look at that ring and pinion, if it's actually pitted that badly, it won't last long as it is. May be time for a replacement axle.

 

[Black dawg]

Be interesting to see if this was caused by rust.

 

[catbird7]

Still waiting to hear if the bolts are in place attaching the brake drum and outer flange on axle shaft.

 

[BeastMaster]

If the axle itself is broken, would it be easy to jack the rear end up a bit ( no brakes...chock front wheels for safety, transmission locked in park ), and check for loose wheel by feel?

 

[Black dawg]

Still waiting to hear if the bolts are in place attaching the brake drum and outer flange on axle shaft.

I have seen this to, most of the bolts were loose and fell out and the remaining few eventually sheared off. The way the axle fits into the end of the hub on the 10.25, this can happen without leaking any oil...

Have seen rusted axles to the point of failure, at splines or just in the shaft itself. Have also seen loose wheel bearings cause extreme axle spline/side gear wear.

 

[Hawk601]

Everything (bolts, pin, gears) seem good. Just found out that the guy I got the truck from had to have the driver side bearings replaced because the axle tried to walk out due to bearing failure. Will be pulling axle tomorrow.

 

[Selahdoor]

Sounds like you could have gotten it home, and right now, could still park it without rolling, if you lock the front hubs and put it into 4WD.

 

[Hawk601]

Broken axle shaft