Posted this in the diesel forum on accident, so I figured I'd put it here in the right spot.


I was looking under my truck while changing my oil and trans fluid yesterday and decided to turn the front drive shaft to see if both outer axles would turn. Well, the drivers side turns when I rotate the front drive shaft, but the passenger does not. I tried to turn the passenger side axle by hand, but it would go one direction about 3/4 of a turn one way and would stop completely like it was binding internal somehow. The hub was free, so that wasn't the issue. It would turn a few rotations the other way and seemed ok. I haven't cracked open the front diff yet, but I have a feeling the passenger side axle isn't engaged in the differential for some reason. Has anyone experienced this before or does anyone have any ideas of what might be causing this? I did my ball joints and replaced the hub bearing and everything went back together without any resistance. Just curious if anyone might have any tips on figuring this out. I think things will be a little more clear once I can crack that diff open. Anyway, any pointers on what this could be would be appreciated.

 

That's probably the needle bearing inside the wheel bearing unit, where the axle stub rides.

The bearing itself is like a $15 part, but getting to it is a pain. It is NOT the diff itself.

 

That doesn't explain why if I turn the front driveshaft on the driver's side axle stub rotates and not the passenger. If you're referring to the needle bearings in the hub bearing assembly, that whole thing was just replaced about 6 months ago.

I'm going to lock the hubs and put the front end up on jack stand enough to get the tires off the ground so I can spin them. My thinking is if I can turn the tire on the drivers side and the front drive shaft spins I know that side is good. If I do the same on the passenger and the front drive shaft doesn't move my thinking is it's something inside the gear housing. I already ordered the oil for it, so I'll go inside and have a look anyway just in case.

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

You have an open differential in the front. Power is routed to the axle with the least resistance. If you would stop the left axle from turning ( lock the left hub and hold the wheel to keep from spinning ) and then turn the front driveshaft, the right axle will rotate. Nothing wrong with it, that's just the way it works.