Need a tow from Mammoth Lakes

Hey folks,

Shot in the dark here but I figured I would try just in case.

I’m visiting mammoth lakes this weekend and I’m having some bad knocking from my rear diff, making my truck undrivable for any meaningful distance and now I need a tow home. I don’t have confidence that this will be an easy or quick job for the local mechanic.

I’m looking for a tow and transport for my girlfriend and myself from Mammoth Lakes to either Sacramento, Alameda, or Mountain View, whatever is most convenient.

If you or someone you know is willing to do this please let me know and we can work on a payment that is reasonable.

Thanks for your help and stay safe!

 

@theesotericone or @Hobbs may be able to recommend a repair shop in bishop that can help you out

 

Sure that wouldn’t hurt either, thank you.

I’m worried I probably can’t get the vehicle to bishop under its own power without risking getting stuck on the side of the road, but trailering/ towing that far is very doable.

 

Get it over to Mike at Alpine Garage. I do all my own wrenching but Mike is one of two guys I'd let touch my rig. I'm gonna guess you don't have AAA.

 

Have you disconnected the rear drive shaft? Might try disconnecting and getting out on fwd if in a 4x4

 

Rear diff still spins when the wheels spin and can go from broken to catastrophic failure

 

If it's the rear diff you'll just damage it further doing that. If a big chunk breaks off the ring and pinion and jams it will lock up the rear wheels.

 

Technically the rear will be coasting Without the drive shaft and Mammoth to Bishop isn’t far. I’d chance it going slow but you are correct that it isn’t advisable I guess. Should pull the ring gear off too to be safe but that’s a little involved for your avg. road side repair

 

Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll give him a call first thing in the AM — though I know it can be hard to fit people in last minute.

I don’t have AAA unfortunately.

Yeah I thought about this... not knowing exactly what’s wrong makes me worried that I might make things work and get stuck if it’s something like a tooth on the ring that’s damaged.

 

Hey OP, how certain are you that your rear diff is your issue? Are you mechanically inclined? If there is any doubt, I would have your issue diagnosed localy to determine a course of action. The shop/mechanic recommendation from @theesotericone is a good place to start.
If you do need major driveline work, consider procuring transport out of Reno, Sacramento, or the Bay Area. You will find more resources on the west side of the mountains.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the tag!

 

Unfortunately sounds like Mike’s shop is closed for November after getting his answering machine this morning.

 

Crap. The other shop I trust is Bishop Chevron but they are down here.

There's also a Toyota dealer in Bishop. Perry Motors. I wouldn't use them but you might be able to call and price a new third. Are you still stock gears? Locker?

 

Yeah, more complicated as I have aftermarket nitro gears and an air locker. Think towing is my best option at this point or else I’m waiting on shipping for a while.

 

Who set-up the gears and locker?

 

Rear was done quite a while back, maybe 5 years now, before I even owned the truck

 

Got any friends that owe you a favor? You could pick up a junkyard diff and swap that in. Just don't use 4wd and it'll be fine. It's gonna be cheaper then a tow. What year is your rig?

 

bump

 

Per OP's sig, it's a 2014 Sport MT w/ 4:88's (4-sale thread). So, 8.4 NON ELD differential

 

yeah Think this is outside of my skill set unfortunately. Options for me right now seem to be tow it to a yard that will hold it until I can arrange vehicle transport and rent a car to get home, or find someone generous with a trailer and some free time.

yeah it’s a 2014 with 4.88 gears and an air locker