Missin My Dawg

About three weeks ago my rear diff. locked up on I-95. Luckily it happened gradually and didnt actually start dragging the rear tires till I was off to the side of the road. As soon as I slowed to about 20-25 mph the rear tires just locked and drug to a stop. I got out and the whole differential was smoking hot, especially by the driveshaft. I had to have it towed home.

I was curious if anyone here had experience with rebuilding one of these rears. I really want to avoid having my 4-link tabs and shock tabs rewelded onto a different used rear.

P.S. At the time of tow, the truck was drug onto a flat bed, rear wheels locked. When we got it to my house it rolled freely backward off the flat bed. My freind towed it to his shop and actually drove it forward onto the trailer, no problem.

1986 Mazda B2000, 2.0, 2wd, manual trans.


Nick.

its pretty basic......

only thing i would be concerned with is the warping from the heat.... it make throw some of the parts off when you rebuild... id suggest looking at your local junk yard and finding one.... and this time keep that baby lubed up.... not sure whats recommended by mechanics but im sure it needs to be done annually at least

I would say get another rear end and just put the diff. in your housing. Might as well put new outer axle bearings in also.


What did it take to mount up the Titan wheels?

You would be better off saving your money and going out and pulling or getting one from a junkyard than rebuilding one!

I'm not too educated in the diff, and I'm wondering if it even was the diff.?

As well, if your axle housing is'nt warped, there is no need to go get a new rear, just replace the internals that are bad.

I imagine if it got low enough on oil, the ring and pinion are toast. the housing shouldn't have been affected either way.

Shoot if you got low on oil, all of it could be toast! There is no real answer until you pull the sucker, Then you will know what it is!

Now the more I think about it, was it making any noise during the process? You may have fried the pinion bearing?

I had a rear end lock up on me once. Ended up being the outer bearings. The seals started leaking because the housing was warped by the guy that had the truck before me and I didn't realize it I was sliding across the freeway sideways at 75 mph. Fun ride it was. Anyways, as soon as the rear end cooled off I was able to roll the truck. Long story long, Get a new houseing and retab it. If you don't, at least take yours to a shop and make sure it is straight. If it is bent it can be staightened by a competant shop. If you get another housing, take measurments to locate the old housing then put the new on in the same place and weld the new tabs on. Its not as hard as it might seem. Good luck with whatever you decide.

i would say by the way the smoke came out of the twad the drive shaft is that the pinion it toast and some warpage might have happen i would pull it and see.

i would repalce it honestly just to be shure that you ahve a good and decent rear end.

Thanks for the reply's. Talked to my mechanic yesterday, supposed to pulling it apart today or tommorow. The plan is to keep the housing and swap out gears and install new seals and bearings too I think. But like it was mentioned in an earlier post, have to see how it looks inside. Hopefully find out soon....