I think it happened last nite. I was coming home from my GF's house and went to shift from 2nd-3rd (recently did a 5spd swap). When I got it in 3rd it never engaged and i heard a ratcheting sound even when i neutral. I started slowing down and letting it ease up when it finally engaged again. I rolled into a gas station and didnt see anything wrong (I looked at the transmission, i didnt suspect the rear end). I proceeded to drive home not feeling anything out of the ordinary.

I drove to work today and had no problems whatsoever, once again. When I went to go to lunch about half an hour ago i smelt gear oil so i looked under the truck and didnt see anything at the transmission so i looked back at the axle. I saw a drip on the drain plug so i went back there and saw this ...







There wasnt much oil left in it. A lot of it is all over my tailgate, window, and rear part of my top. It looks like somthing blew up inside and shot out.

Just about 1 year ago I had someone build this rear-end with 5.29s and Bearings. I also have a Detroit Locker in there. Right there I'm looking a $1100.

I know i wont know anything for sure until i get the 3rd member pulled see whats on the drain plug, but since im at work til 5:00 Im not going to get to do that til later on.

I want to say that i have not driven hardER on the truck since i have done the 5spd swap and havent done any 4wheeling lately.

 

that sucks brandon hope it doesn't hit your wallet to hard

 

I hate to tell you but yes, your third is toast. That hole was punched from the inside out & there isn't anything loose inside a diff that can do that without some catastrophic damage.

 

Hopefully the detroit is still good, but that sucks, and you just blew your ring gear and pinion out.