Did I destroy my rear diff?

I did hear a metal popping sound, but I though it was a CV. Didn't sound like it came from the back.

 

No pinch them at the rubber hoses as it goes down to the axle. Or you can get some caps like for vacuum lines and put that over the steel lines after you disconnect them from the wheel cyl. If you pinch the hoses off DO NOT keep it pinched off for a long extended period of time.

 

Nice. I Got the vacuum caps

 

Since I don't have a factory locker can you engage the locker in 4lo and put the truck in park with the locker engaged? If so go see which wheel spins and you will know which axle to pull first.

 

Passenger side axle out ....splines missing??

 

Ouch. Def not what you should see. did you pull the diff too? If those are stripped on the inner good chance the diff is bad too.

 

Did not pull diff yet.

 

That's a broken axle, the splined section will still be in the differential. You will likely have to pull the other axle and diff to get the broken piece out.

 

Well I'll be damned!!! I was wrong that's a first for me seeing that. Typically it's the gears that goes. So i don't know if that's lucky or unlucky. But do what @a2lowvw said also that'll give you a chance to check the gears and make sure they didn't get any damage.

 

replacement pn is 42311-04060, Axle Shaft

 

Thanks! Wondering if chromoly shafts are worth it or just go stock.

 

Thats a clean shear at the taper

 

This. Or get a really strong magnet on a long stick.

 

I've done that on a ford but I think pulling the diff is actually easier.

 

congrats, you now have a prius...

Seriously though, sucks that happened.

 

Nitro sells a set of chromoly axles that are listed for second gen's with abs. Would have to measure axle length but I bet they would drop right in.

https://www.nitro-gear.com/Toyota-Tacoma-30-Spl-31-7-8-Long-Nitro-Chromoly-p/axt04081.htm

 

Bingo, the cleanest I have ever seen. No lip on the shear line or even a small ridge.

 

Holy crap. And no particles when you drained the fluid? That's wild.

 

That might be kinda hard since the diff has those dumb metal clips inside right at the axle where it enters the diff.

 

Driver side