Hey guys,

I noticed a few weeks back, when installing my lift kit, that my differential breather tube ran only as far up as the underside of my bed. Since then I have had my truck sumberged in water several times.

Now It feels like my diff is slipping, or something.

When I step on the gas, my truck starts moving forward, then I feel this clunk in the back and it feels like something is grabbing and jerking my truck forward.

Is it possible I got water down that tube and there is now water in my case that's causing my Auburn clutches to slip? Should I just do a fluid change and see if that fixes it? Is it best to take the cover off the back to drain the oil and inspect everything, or is there an easier way to drain the oil.

What do you guys think?


Tom

 

well, it is pretty easy to burn out a auburn.. One good one wheel peel and you have a $300 paper weight.

But if its clunking around.. i'm betting you have bigger problems than your auburn burnt out.

 

Well, it's not really clunking around, so to speak. When I hit the gas, it just feels as if something is slipping in the back for one second, then it engages and has a little jerk feeling.

I mean, heck, it's possible that all it is is my back tire breaking loose for a split second and then engages my other tire and hooks up.

There's not much else back there, other than the ring and pinion.

Universals are in good shape.

If the Auburn does go, I'm going to switch. Because my brother has the same one and his burnt out in 2 months. Piece of crap.

Detroit locker I guess would be my second, or Powertrax.

any suggestions? I never heard of a Lincoln Locker???

Tom

 

anytime you submerge an axle you really need to drain it and at least check the fluid....if it looks ok w/o water put it back in. if not change it! also a good time to check out gear teeth and anything else! Just pop the back cover and drain it into a CLEAN drain pan (so you can reuse it if you can) then just seal it back up with gasket sealant!

lincoln lockers are awesome when done right but not suggested on your rear axle cause they will eat some tires! but you can't beat the traction!

-jason-

 

Liquid gasket sealant Jason? There is not a factory paper one?

 

there is but the liquid stuff is (IMO) easier, cheaper, and versatile (can use it for more than just diff gaskets when you are done)!

-jason-

 

Ok, I'm going to try this tonight.

The friction modifier, how much to I put in? the whole bottle? It comes pre measured? Do they sell this at the autoparts store? I've never seen this stuff sold before.

I'm really not as stupid as I sound

 

most manufacturers dont even use paper gaskets for diff covers anymore, they use silicone

tom your problem sounds like an auto tranny slipping or sumthing to that effect.

also, a l/s is an l/s, they will always wear out, and they are easily burnt up.

 

yes, but my l/s is less than 3 months old. And I don't even beat on it. Should last longer than that. My budies stock l/s that came with his Z71 has lasted 175K miles and still works perfect.

I just bought some Valvoline 85-175W gear oil and a tube of friction modifier.

However, my manual says to add only 4 ounces of modifier but the modifier tube says to add 7 ounces, does it make that much difference? Which one should I go with?

I don't think there is anything wrong with my auto trans slipping, just because it doesn't FEEL like that, although anything is possible. My truck has only 9K miles on it. I never messed with the trans, however I DID mess with the rear.

I don't know, this is just one of those weird feeling type of things you get sometimes where it's just not noticable enough to be able to determine the problem and sometimes you either have to wait unit it gets worse, or breaks before you find out what it is.

If I took it to the dealer, they would drive it around the block and say "ah, feels fine to me".

I'm going to change the fluid this week and see if that helps. Afterall, the rear WAS stuck under the water for 24 hours, so it could have water in it.

Keep the thoughts coming on this though, thanks.

Tom