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Old 07-05-2015, 10:45 AM   #1
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Differential Problems - Please advise

I'm far from home and the rear end is going out. Again. I'm done messing with it and want to upgrade to a full float rear axle. But not this week and not in Bozeman Mt.

Am I crazy to think that I can pull the rear drive line, strap it to the roof and drive 1k mi home in "front wheel drive". ?? This is a 2002 e350 Quigley.

Please advise if you see a flaw in my plan! !

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Old 07-05-2015, 11:32 AM   #2
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

I'm not an expert but you *might* be able to pull pinion shaft out and then front wheel drive it home.

Just pulling the driveshaft isn't going to help too much unless the noises go away while coasting. You still run the risk of the unit locking up. Hopefully it would just strip the gear set before that happens.

Again, I'm no expert. And I'd probably drive it until it figured itself out, especially since you're going to replace the whole axle.

Good luck.
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Old 07-05-2015, 11:34 AM   #3
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Probably not the most ideal situation, but I've seen it done before! Is your transfer case slip yoke or fixed yoke at the rear? If it is fixed yoke, I'd personally go for it. If it is slip yoke, you are going to have a hard time keeping the fluid in the t-case with the rear shaft out. I had a plastic plug that I purchased from an auto parts store years ago just for that purpose, though I would definitely not expect it to survive extended highway driving.

Do you know what exactly is failing? Everything in the rear end will still be rotating even though there won't be any torque going to it, so there is still the likelyhood that the part might fail even with the driveline removed.
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Old 07-05-2015, 11:35 AM   #4
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Viejo: I did just that on my 1970's IH Scout. But I was only 100 miles from home. I would think you could paint or scribe a mark on the yoke and drive shaft at both ends for realignment (at least with the transmission) and then drive slowly 45 to 50 mph home, but be careful because if the rear end is "going out" it is likely generating more heat and it could be catastophic if it failed on a turn or on a steep -- because there is really nothing holding the axle in on a semi-floating axle but some C-clips in the differential and the brake calipers at the axle ends? On the other hand Bozeman is a pretty straight shot on pretty good roads through ID touching the corner of OR to Arcata, CA.

I will watch to see what Baja, daveb, carringb, and others who know more have to say.

Finally, just to call an audible for a change of play. That guy John at Quadvan is the real deal and real helpful. So you may want to nurse it to OR and call ahead 503.224.3629 (even today leaving a message) and ask him how much to install a FF rear axle. He knows what works, what yards to find a used one to keep the price down. I considered driving my van up to have him do it. You will be driving down and it just takes a right turn (I am on the stump for Trump) to go by his shop.
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Old 07-05-2015, 01:10 PM   #5
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by Viejo
I'm far from home and the rear end is going out. Again. I'm done messing with it and want to upgrade to a full float rear axle. But not this week and not in Bozeman Mt.

Am I crazy to think that I can pull the rear drive line, strap it to the roof and drive 1k mi home in "front wheel drive". ?? This is a 2002 e350 Quigley.

Please advise if you see a flaw in my plan! !
Find a local wrecking yard and purchase a D60 FF form a wrecked van and have it installed - shouldn't cost much in Bozeman and you can get it regeared and rebuilt when you get home.

If you have a flange or yoke type output on your t-case you could drive it in front wheel drive. I have done that before a few times. It is one of the reasons we use flanged T-cases in our conversions - easy to remove a drive shaft and still drive it.
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Old 07-05-2015, 05:13 PM   #6
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Last trip I pulled my driveshaft and drove a couple of hundred miles in front wheel drive. However, my rear end was good and my u-joints bad.

So, the answer is: Maybe

Mike
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Old 07-06-2015, 10:46 AM   #7
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Latest Update

Pulling the drive shaft won't work. T-case side u joint not fixed.

Only solution left is to do the FF rear end transplant here in Bozeman.

Every repair shop in Bozeman is slammed with broken RVs. May be stuck here a week or more finding parts and getting the work

Where should I start looking for a D60 rear end?
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Old 07-06-2015, 11:15 AM   #8
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by Viejo
Latest Update

Pulling the drive shaft won't work. T-case side u joint not fixed.

Only solution left is to do the FF rear end transplant here in Bozeman.

Every repair shop in Bozeman is slammed with broken RVs. May be stuck here a week or more finding parts and getting the work

Where should I start looking for a D60 rear end?
This place seems to have what you are looking for.. With your choice of gear ratios:

http://www.aftautoparts.com/
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Old 07-06-2015, 11:25 AM   #9
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by Viejo

Where should I start looking for a D60 rear end?
B & R is the largest wrecking yard out west. They don't have a Montana location but deliver daily.

1-855-339-1932
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:04 PM   #10
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Re: Differential Problems - Please advise

http://www.car-part.com

Network of nationwide wrecking yards all in one searchable site.
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