Noise in Differential ??

[Gary '79 5C]

Well I returned home from a 2,700 mile trip uneventful with the exception of a road repair of a 3/4" inch coolant line worn thru from an exhaust clamp.

I was however getting a snapping (once) when going uphill just after the third to fourth gear shift. One bang, like a 1/2" breaker bar snapped against a steel bar.  I have the bus in Luke's with Bill & Oscar working to remove the drive shaft, drop box, rear axles, and rear differential.

The bus never hesitated, always was transmitting power to the drive wheels. Just a frightening snap/bang very infrequently, only while under load, up hill at a shift. Not all the time, but Not Good.

We had about 1/4 turn travel in drive shaft, but not at the u-joints. That is to say the U-Joints had no play.

Removed the drop box and the gears are meshing well not backlash there. Good, but plan to re-bearing this unit.

Removed the axles, removed the differential and turning the ring gear there is no play to the splined (female) diff side gear.

We are thinking that the failure, not apparent as of yet, is within the diff. spider. That disassembly will be later this week.

Any one out there been there before ??  This is a Rockwell rear.

Thanks in Advance, as always,

Gary

[David Anderson]

I haven't been there, but please keep us informed as to what Luke finds.  I wish you the best and least painless $$$$ fix.

David

[Chopper Scott]

You have to consider yourself lucky and in capable hands at Lukes from what we hear.