Topic: Trans / T Case Failure

[SLOYOTA808]

Has anyone out there in Toyota-land ever had a Trans and/or T Case fail to the point where the rear end locked up at highway speeds (55mph in Hawaii in my case)

I was driving normally (a relative term) on the out freeway early one morning and the rear end locked up to the point where the ring gear sheared some teeth off.

Inspection by a local shop had suggested that the trans and/or t cases may have locked up, causing the weakest link, the rear end ring and pinion gears to shear.

I still need to drain the new (2 weeks old) t case and trans fluids.  Obviously, if I find abnormal amounts of metal, then that is a possibility.  So I understand that I still need to check this out.

I do also have to remove the spare diff and have someone look to see if there is abnormal wear on the new gears, another possibility where this binding may have originated.

Initially, that morning, I installed my another diff (meant for my front end) and there was some sort of "binding" causing the truck to not want to roll freely in neutral with the engine off.  I did add diff fluid and did NOT drive the truck from where it came to an abrupt stop that morning.  Yes I did flush out the rear housing with cleaner and a magnet to get out what I could, so there of course are metal flakes in the axle housing, especially the tubes.  But I did tun the spare diff to ensure that it turned freely prior to installation and I immediately tried to roll the truck after changing out the diff.

I know there are a lot of unknowns, but my biggest question is of there was a trans and/or t-case failure, would the truck drive normally again as it has done so for a few blocks around my house?  I ran through all the gears and all of the dual t case options...

I am new to the game, and am just trying to think things out.

Thanks for you input in advance.

    

[WHITE_TRASH]

Post pics of the ring & pinion gears.  If the gears are thin then the trans didnt lock up it was the ing & pinion wedging against themselves.  I had a pinion bearing go bad and cause that tbefore.

If it is an issue in the trans and/or t-case then its most likely a bearing.  So it'd need to be torn down for inspection/repair.  Good luck, you just may need it.

[SLOYOTA808 [OP]]

Will do...I need to get the diff back from a friend.

Not like the pinion took a dive, because the nut was still tight and the flange had no noticeable play, although my hand is not a micrometer...
On a side note, I had a solid spacer put in in place of the crush sleeve.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Time to kick it into neutral and see if it'll turn by hand then. 

[SLOYOTA808 [OP]]

Thanks again...I'll get them pix up as soon as I get the diff back...

Again, thanks for your help...

CJ or DEAN will be getting a call from me soon to order gears...AGAIN!   

[SLOYOTA808 [OP]]

The movie "Mo' Money" is just ringing in my head...

[WHITE_TRASH]

Get used to it its a sickness... 

[SLOYOTA808 [OP]]

Yup...married for 11 years 8 months 13 days...but my trucks are like my mistresses...

[e_cliff]

i would say a gear is broke and wedged some were before a bearing seized and lock the rear end up, if a bearing were to seize like that you would know ahead of time, if you did not you would have to be defth to not hear anything



cliff

[kyle_22r]

i definitely woulnd't call the R&P the weakest link, more likely you'd break a u-joint or turn the tranny into dust before you'll break that.

[SLOYOTA808 [OP]]

Finally checked my trans fluid and the dual t cases: fluids were clean.  Drive shaft also seems to be straight as no vibrations up to 40 mph so far...maybe it was a freak 3rd member.  The world will never know, just like asking how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop...

[FIREBALL]

I've heard of some rear diffs coming apart and locking up before. I've sold 2 or 3 spare diffs over the years to guys that have had that happen. Usually it was stock gears on a first gen truck and usually at highway speeds.
Never had a tranny failure that sounded like that, and the t-cases are pretty much bomb proof.

[SLOYOTA808 [OP]]

 

Well, the ring and pinions were Yukon 5:29s I picked up from Marlin that was installed by a local shop who has done quite a few third members.
Oh well...

Will post pix when I get the damaged thrid back.

Again, thanks for all your input.