Hey guys, got a good one here. I went to lunch, turn to pull out of the parking lot and I hear and feel this binding, poping sound coming from the rear end. When you turn left, it appears to be coming from the left side, and from the right side when turning right.
Does not happen when going straight, no sounds all seems normal. Does not appear to to do this when driving, sees to be related to turning tight, i.e., like in a parking lot. Occurs in reverse or going forward when pulling out of a parking lot.
I was wondering if this could be the rear sway bar binding or posisbly the ring & pinion gears in the rear end. I have a Dana 80, 3.54, posi-traction rear.

 

I'm thinking you probably have problems with the planetary gears in the rear end.

 

If you have a Limited slip, try a bottle or two of limited slip additive, might be time.

 

I would say the same thing if the differential oil had just been changed but have never heard of the additive wearing out and needing refreshing.
It does sound like a LS problem, perhaps the clutches are worn out.

 

sounds like your lsd clutches are junk or with any luck it could be a bad u joint

 

Well, bad news! You guys were on the money on this one! I took the diff cover off, turns out at least one of the side gears in the differential carrier case broke in half.

Time to start looking for a used Dana 80 DRW, 3.54 diff. Anybody got one for sale? Boy this sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My personal opinion, take it to a drive line shop (or do it yourself if you're savvy) and have a new carrier put in. With the miles these trucks rack up, any used D80 you get would likely have been around the world and back several times. This way you'll get new bearings, new axle seals, new clutches, etc, etc, etc.

 

I just happento know a salvage yard that is on the hotline and local to me , check em out . they have alot of lower mileage trucks in our year range !!
Glenns Auto Parts in Rockwood,TN 1-800-362-9889 or www.glennsautoparts.com good folks with decent prices. but a dana 80 or 60 are like a dead deer to the coyotes around here for the rock crawler rigs !! HURRY FRIEND HURRY !!!

 

Thanks, I will check into it!

 

Looks like Randy's has the complete spider gear kits for both open and Limited Slip rears -- the limited slips aren't cheap though.

http://www.ringpinion.com/PartsList....fID=23&CatID=4

 

Well, I found a rearend from a guy on the forum, I am going to go and pick it up this Friday. Thanks for all the info guys!