What about the oil splash guards in the housing? Maybe one of them slipped off and got chewed up? Sounds like your pinion is screwed though.
minisimp....yes I plan on pulling the rear end tomorrow to see the damage, I'm hoping a splash gaurd is knocked off or something...I believe the carrier and ring are still set-up fine...there is a few things I am unsure of..one, the flange was not seated completly down when I tightended it up.... two, the for sure one in my head is, the pinion is bent because even when I bought the truck and brought it home, the rear flange looked thingy-eyed, and three the oil splash guards, but that still would answer why the flange spins thingy-eyed....so much for buying anothers junk eh.....but I guess this is the oppurtunity to buy so cryo-ed gears from longfield!!!