Differential bad?

[AirSpeed]

I drove my 72 K1500 this morning and noticed a pulsing howl as I accelerated, once I was at speed it seemed to stop. On my way home going down hill I felt a sudden jerk like something momentarily bound up. I pulled over to check things out but could find nothing wrong. I drove about four more miles home and noticed the howling at lower speeds and as I decelerated. Could I have lost a tooth on one of the gears in the rear differential? I’m not feeling any vibrations or hearing any clunking sounds, just the howling sound. I don’t have time today so I’m going to pull the cover off tomorrow but thought I’d ask you guys if i should look elsewhere if I don’t find anything in the rear end.
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[AirSpeed]

Well I couldn’t wait, pulled the diff cover and found a broken tooth on ring gear. Couldn’t see any other damage so I cleaned in out, replaced the cover, filled it back up and went for a test drive. The howling is gone and is smooth. The closest rear end rebuilder is about 80 miles away, wonder if I could drive it that far?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I wouldn't try it. You could distruck the whole thing. If you can pull it yourself & take it in another truck it would be better. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a used one & install it yourself.
George

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

I wouldn't try it. You could distruck the whole thing. If you can pull it yourself & take it in another truck it would be better. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a used one & install it yourself.
George

Id rather let a pro deal with it, have a warranty and a little more confidence it’s not going to explode on me! Not to mention it’s freezing up here in the mountains and sucks working on cold steel on freezing day! The shop I’m going to have fix it wants the whole truck in his shop, said it’s a lot easier for him. You’re right about driving it that far, I’ll probably have it towed to the shop, would suck to destroy the whole rear end or have it lock up on me and crash!
Thanks!

[trac209]

I’d flat deck it there

[kwmech]

What tooth and where was it broken?

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by kwmech

What tooth and where was it broken?

It was a tooth on the ring gear, the whole tooth broke off
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[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by trac209

I’d flat deck it there

That’s the plan.
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[Marine-58]

Have you thought about rebuilding it yourself? They aren't that hard once you know the steps and measurements. Not sure what tools you have as there are a couple specialty tools you would need, but the difference in cost between doing it yourself or someone else doing it, would be covered in that difference.

There are a lot of guys on this forum that can walk you through what it takes. The main thing you will need is patience in setting the measurements correct. For the first time, you would need to budget a full weekend and at least a 12 pack...

Just an idea... Not everyone is comfortable doing a rear end or trans rebuild. Mostly it is due to being nervous in doing something new. But as for being nervous, it will increase the focus to do it right.

[demian5]

Man, if you were in so cal, I gotta guy that would make a house call and do it right.