Xaqori's Expedition/Pit/Recovery Trail Limo Build

That's terrible! Was it the G2 gears?

 

I was driving home from lunch with my dad and heard a pop. Then, as soon as I pulled in my driveway, the rear end locked up. I've been really sick, too, so I haven't been able to pull apart the diff yet.

If you mean the March ride, I should still be good!

Yes it was

 

Fun update: After thinking the rear diff blew, a friend and I started to pull things apart to get at the diff and as we disassembled the passenger side drum brake, a pin and spring(s) fell out. Thinking that was the issue, we replaced the pieces and put new oil back in since that was the first thing done (and there were no notable metal pieces). During the test drive, the same popping/locking up happened so I drove it back home and called a tow truck to take it to my local dealership (who, by the way, said they wouldn't have an issue working on an ARB diff). When we got to the dealership, I was turned away by the exact same person I had talked to because he "didn't think I actually had an aftermarket diff." This caused a bit of an issue, you see, as my truck is still sitting on the tow truck and no where else in the area would take it. I ended up calling around and expanded my search [quite] a bit. Ended up calling ACC and they said that they could take it for sure, and same day (29 Dec 15) no less, but it would be the day after before they could start to work on it. No problem.

So I get a call the next morning (30 Dec 15) with some of the worst news I've gotten in a long time: the rear ring and pinion had grenaded and the pinion came loose and started to bite into the locker, leaving gouges all around it. Okay, fine. Nothing I can do at this point but hope the diff can be salvaged, but I couldn't find out until the next day because completely tearing down the axle took the entire day.

Then the next day (31 Dec 15), I got to breathe a sigh of relief - the locker just needed some deburring and polishing and it would be okay. Woohoo! I might get my truck back today and be able to break in the gears for my trip!!!

Later the same day (31 Dec 15), I get a call saying that when the ring gear popped, it stretched some of the bolt holes in the locker; though it should be okay, I'd need to get new ring gear bolts since some stretched and others broke. Okay...

Around their closing time that day (31 Dec 15), the guy called me back and said that they are having issues sourcing the bolts. Awesome. Turns out, our rear diffs with ARB lockers require special, low-profile bolts to clear the housing. So I'm still out my DD, just sitting here waiting for these new bolts to come in and praying for good news.

Man, I had been hoping for this to be done before 1 Jan 16...I had a trip planned to Windrock.

 

That's really tough news. So sorry that happened. Hopefully no more new surprises. And probably a good thing your truck didn't end up getting repaired by dealer.

 

I couldn't afford any new surprises haha. And what makes you say that?

 

Hope you're able to make it to gulches buddy

 

I should have the truck back this week. Assuming homework isn't killing me come that time, I'll definitely be there!

 

I didn't mean anything by it, it was just the way you narrated your story. I wish you the best.

 

Gotcha! Yeah, the only reason I'll be going back there from now on is to cash in on my lifetime alignment haha

 

Completely forgot to post the pics of the diff tear-down. Failure was deemed to be a mix between bad backlash and not enough Loctite. Repair was done locally by a shop with a good reputation...but that led to other issues.

 

"Other issues" mentioned in the previous post. Sheared all 6 studs on the rear driver's side wheel. On the highway (I-75N from ATL). Luckily it happened on my exit ramp when the wheel decided to completely separate from the drum. What a wild ride.

And the kicker was that I was driving my friend and his girlfriend home from the Vortex on his birthday. Happy birthday, Ginger.

 

On a side note, the truck is currently in storage (got a Camry for a DD). Camburg LT should hopefully be in around New Years!