Hey Gang, I believe this is the first time I have posted...I have been lurking for years...So thank you all for the info over the years...

Currently I have a problem that lurking hasn't been able to help...

2000 F350 7.3 SRW 4WD Manual hubs

Long story short...
Was in 4WD heard a pop. Took it out of 4WD, drove fine.
Upon inspection I found the pinion on the front diff very loose. Opened up the front diff to see what was going on and good lord a lot of water & a little bit of gear oil drained out. In with the water/oil cocktail there were the remains of a bearing.
Everything in there looks remarkably good considering all of the water. I plan on replacing all of the bearings & seals in the axle and obviously the pinion bearing that got shreaded.

The questions I have for you guys are as follows:
1. Where did the water come from & where did the rest of the gear oil go? There was no leakage that I have found.
2. Is there anything I am missing that I should be doing while I am in there?
3. Is there a diagram available? I do well with pictures...
4. A procedure for this whole operation?
5. What axle do I have? I do know its a Dana...There are a ton of # on the cover as well as on the tag that is bolted on....
Cover #'s are 47707-1 265-99 Rev-N 012599
Tag#'s are 373^YC35 FA ^610892-1

*****( this thing ^ is a triangle)********
Any and all help is appreciated. I know I can't be the first guy on here to be dealing with this....
Thanks,
Bob T...

 

I believe it is a Dana 50. I also believe there will be a "50" either stamped or molded into the differential case.

There is a good chance the axle/differential breather tube came loose and it got dunked in water one or more times, causing it to suck water into the unit. Look for a rubber hose coming off the axle going up into the frame area and stopping at a fitting that goes nowhere. If you can't find that, look for a nipple on the axle tube that should have that breather tube on it.

I can't say much about doing the job itself. I suck at differentials. They take a fair bit of proper adjustment to make them work right and last.

 

The front breather hose is prone to leaking where it meets the housing. Seal it with RTV around the base and consider extending the rather short stock 13'' hose to some where else!

 

Thanks you Guys....I figured the breather tube was the culprit...I think the water has been in there since I got the truck a couple of years ago because when I got it the breather tube was off....Dana 50...thanks dchamberlain....
Anything on procedures or diagrams?
Thanks,
Bob T.