Friday, I started off at a red light and felt a "pop" or "clunk." (My steering does this b/c of the trac bar but only when turning to near lock on either side) This pop seemed to come from somewhere else. I noticed a howling (I guess is the best way to describe it) as I accelerated and it occurs mostly in gears 4-6. The noise has never occured before and began immediately after the pop/clunk. It sounds like an auto trans or a rear end does when there is something wrong with it. The only thing that I can find is that the rear output seal (where the rear driveshaft attaches to the tcase) is leaking a bit. I just dont know what could have immediatly caused this sound. I have a diablo puck installed and nearly always have an 18' trailer hooked up. I am not hard on the skinny pedal either.

Any opinions?

Thanks

 

Shootin from the hip here, but it sounds like a bearing may have let go.

 

Check the rubber hose connectors on the intake system. There are 4 of them. One may have blown out or off.

 

I am going to check the hoses. If that is not it then I guess I will see if there is a bearing getting hotter than normal. I am ready to have all this nit-picky stuff fixed! I guess it could be a lot worse.

 

I figured I would change the diff oil today since I have no idea when the last time it was changed (bought the truck in May). I was amazed at what I found when I took off the diff cover. I think the "pop" that I felt before was the 1/2" grade 8 bolt, that holds the top of the left bearing cap on, break. It was being held in place, I guess, by the diff cover. The bottom bolt was bent and loose I guess from the vibration. I had to e-z out the end of the bolt. Now I am hoping that the bearing is not bad. I imagine that I will find out in the morning if the howling persists.

 

If you have that much damage now replace all the bearings before you destroy all of it. Have a good gear mechanic set it up and check it all out. I have seen housing destroyed due to the same problems you are listing. If you do destroy it, replace it with another Dana 80.

 

Lucky you caught it now! Hope it can be fixed inexpensively.

 

How do I know if the bearings are even bad? I put everything back together and am putting Lucas in the diff. I was going to drive it today to see if the problem/howling/slight vibration continues.

 

anyone know??

 

everything seems to be working fine. There is the occasional whine but I have to really listen.

 

Just watch it real close and listen for it and if it doesnt get worse you should be ok. If the whining returns or any other symptoms raise their ugly head, get that thing checked out by a pro.

 

Thanks. I'm hoping I caught it early enough and thankful I didnt drive it too much.