My axle seal on that side has been leaking since I have the truck, never fixed it, and guess the axle ran out of oil, burnt out the bearings, and it ate right through a tube behind the drum, split in half, and out came the wheel with the axle.....

 

wow that sucks! I love that truck BTW

 

and that my friends, is why there is a check plug in the rear end.

 

Second that

 

Looks to me like the locking spindle nut is still in place. Inboard of that looks like the race for the outer bearing. Further in the cage for the inner bearing is clearly visible holding what might be the seal in place behind it?
My guess is the outer bearing disintegrated. The outer bearing holds the hub in place, so without the bearing, the hub was slid out, knocked the outer bearing race loose. Then the hub just slide right out.

The hub is likely fubar, but if you're real real lucky, the spindle might be salvageable. Axle shaft may be bent and the splines might be wrecked, however its possible both are fine. I'd love to see some more pictures.

Was it making any noise before destruction? You are real luck you caught it when you did!

 

When it stops leaking it's dry!

Hey John, I thought you guys got snow up there, your tires are bald!

 

Yes it was making some noises once in a while, I taught it was the brake pads falling apart since they've been covered in oil so long, the shoe isn't glued to the plate no more, I had that happen to my F150 last year, so I kepted driving it, didn't wanna take the wheels off and check as I would actually heading to storage with it to park it, as my van is out now.


A week or so ago when noises started, I had that wheel completely lock, and violently shake the truck on the highway for 5-10 seconds on an offramp, that's why at first I taught these noises were brake pads falling apart.


A week later, and over 1000 miles later, this happened.


Everything is fubared from the looks of it, including the outer part of the axle tube! It shredded in half!

When I jacked the truck to slide the axle back in, the outside hub, and even rim were boiling hot.....only on this side tho witch I found weird.




About 2 miles before the wheel came out, I was FWD, out of nowhere, I had no more rear axle, hit a bump and nothing, no go in any gear, driveshaft was spinning and not moving, no noises, nothing, just out of nowhere, so I locked the hubs, and kepted on going with the front axle.



And yes, we had LOTS of snow this year, drove it almost all winter on 4 bald tires without a problem. Actually more fun that way if you ask me



Anyways, if I decide to fix this piece of crap, i'm simply gonna replace the entire axle. Just gotta find one with 4.10's.



I'm surprised something major hasn't broke sooner, I abused the **** out of this truck this winter, and did 9,000 miles in 4 months with it. From flying down ski-doo trails, to catching air on dips in the road (broke a shock tower on one a month ago) lol

 

I've seen a 77 do that before, if you get luck you might find a limited slip

 

I really need to fix my axle seal and put new fluid in, I know what my project for next week will be

 

The spindle looks ok why change the whole thing?

 

All of the sudden, I have the urge to check and change my front and rear diff fluids.

I'm glad you weren't on the freeway doing 75 when that happened! That's a little too much excitement right there

 

I check them every time I change the oil I check all the fluids, it took two t-cases to teach me that.

 

That's a good idea, I'll have to start doing that.

 

I know a wider wheelbase is more stable, but don't you think there is a better way? maybe dually's?

 

I had a jeep xj a few years back as a beater and to pull logs for firewood, it was lifted and had 33"s.... one day i dared to drive it about 30 miles into town (actually to the beach for my step brothers wedding ) and both ball joints completely gave up on life. those big tires folded under while i was leaving going about 25 around a turn lol that was enough for me ...... but ive never seen anything like that man. crazy !