Need help identifying diff problem
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Need help identifying diff problem
I am looking for an old 4x4 so I've seen a couple trucks around town. One of them is a 1990 f250 that seems to have had a Dana 60 swap on the front. There seems to be a problem with the front diff that I can't figure out. Here's the test I performed and maybe somebody can help me figure out if I should run away or attempt to buy/repair this thing.
With the transfer case in 2H, hubs unlocked, and rotating the front driveshaft by hand, I feel resistance in one spot of a full rotation. The u joint closest to the diff seems tight, but the one by the transfer case is pretty worn. I can jiggle it back and forth maybe 1/16 of an inch when I grab the front axle. Everything moves when the shaft is rotated, so I don't think there is anything broken but it feels like gear binding to me. I've never worked on a 4 wheel drive, so any insight to this would be very helpful. I do all my own car work and I am a service engineer, so I am no stranger to a wrench. I'm just worried that a new front diff may be needed and that could turn into some big cash.
Thanks,
Everett
With the transfer case in 2H, hubs unlocked, and rotating the front driveshaft by hand, I feel resistance in one spot of a full rotation. The u joint closest to the diff seems tight, but the one by the transfer case is pretty worn. I can jiggle it back and forth maybe 1/16 of an inch when I grab the front axle. Everything moves when the shaft is rotated, so I don't think there is anything broken but it feels like gear binding to me. I've never worked on a 4 wheel drive, so any insight to this would be very helpful. I do all my own car work and I am a service engineer, so I am no stranger to a wrench. I'm just worried that a new front diff may be needed and that could turn into some big cash.
Thanks,
Everett
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Is there anything useful that jacking the front end up, locking the hubs, and spinning one tire is going to tell me? I had an idea that this would isolate the driveshaft u joint without taking anything apart. Is it like a front wheel drive car where the other side spins opposite with no load? I guess that wouldn't rule out the axle u joints though.
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Junior User
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Thanks for the replys! That makes sense now that I think about it. I bet it's that one right there at the diff yolk since it feels tight. The truck's been sitting for a while and I don't think 4x4 has been engaged for quite some time.
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