think i broke my front diff :(

[clownracer]

went through some 3 foot snow drifts in my hoe coming back from work during a big storm well after going through the last one it cleared up enough to switch to 2wd i popped it in but it still felt like it was in 4wd about 20mi later it started pulling left pretty hard and i started to smell diff fluid strongly and could see smoke coming from under the front of the truck......truck has been parked ever since

how can i test the truck to ensure that it is the front diff(and not the transfer case or anything else)

i can buy a used diff for 250 from my local junk yard is that a good price is there anything else i should buy?

is there anything i can do while the diff is out to beef it up a bit without spending a ton of moneys???

here is a pic of me probably helping it die over christmas in my front yard

 

[992door]

cleared up enough to switch to 2wd i popped it in but it still felt like it was in 4wd about 20mi

Why did you drive it for 20 miles if you thought it was still in 4wd? How fast where you going?

 

[clownracer]

i live in the country was out in a snow storm with my family had to get home i was doing 30-40 or so

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

jack up the front of the truck and see if the wheels turn freely or not. if you smelled diff fluid i would say you have a pretty major problem. $250 isn't bad if its already out of the vehicle and includes a warranty.

 

[clownracer]

i will jack it up tomorrow and report back.....is the transfer case full of gear oil or atf???

 

[SunlitComet]

i will jack it up tomorrow and report back.....is the transfer case full of gear oil or atf???

usually a special fluid or tranny fluid but not gear oil. It depends on what you have. What do you have?

 

[clownracer]

usually a special fluid or tranny fluid but not gear oil. It depends on what you have. What do you have?

1995 v8 1500 model nothing special fwiw it has the 4wd knob on the floor and not the little switch

i smelled burning gear oil im just hoping i messed up my diff and not something more expensive

 

[SunlitComet]

a 1995 floor shift model t-case uses dexron IIE tranny oil.

both front and rear axles use gear oil. if it is gear oil burning then your tranny and t-case should be fine.

 

[scottg918514]

went through some 3 foot snow drifts in my hoe coming back from work during a big storm well after going through the last one it cleared up enough to switch to 2wd i popped it in but it still felt like it was in 4wd about 20mi later it started pulling left pretty hard and i started to smell diff fluid strongly and could see smoke coming from under the front of the truck......truck has been parked ever since

how can i test the truck to ensure that it is the front diff(and not the transfer case or anything else)

i can buy a used diff for 250 from my local junk yard is that a good price is there anything else i should buy?

is there anything i can do while the diff is out to beef it up a bit without spending a ton of moneys???

here is a pic of me probably helping it die over christmas in my front yard

Try putting tc in neutral. If it won't go, could be an issue.

 

[clownracer]

sorry for not getting back to you guys faster.......truck goes into 4wd and neutral fine i dont see any fluid leaks anywhere i put it into 2wd seemed to be ok.....but im scared to drive it to the mechanics(40mi away) is there anything else i can check???