Seized OE Diff

[a2ndopinion]

I had been running the noisy set of 3.90 6.7" gears (T312) out of Zoomy's Baby in the wagon, but all of a sudden on the freeway, I heard an ungodly squeal and immediately headed for the shoulder. I stopped just as it locked up. Had it towed home (the first time I've ever had to have one of our Toyota's towed home, after almost 1,000,000 miles over the last 18 years ) with my dad's Good Sam Club. Time to upgrade to the Mk I F313.

LSD FTW!

[sirdan]

That's crazy that it just locked like that! What do you think it was a bad bearing that just took a shit and welded itself? Id love to see the carnage for like learning purposes. I wonder if a bearing seized then spun the race and that was the loud noise then that seized locking it up.

Anyway if I can be any help from the other side of the coast id be glad to.

[a2ndopinion]

The old diff is buried under about 8" of snow right now. I'm hoping to pull it apart next week, and will post pics. Knowing that it was a pinion bearing making noise, I'm guessing it just gave up the ghost. I'm just glad I headed for the shoulder the second I heard it. Having it lock up at 55 MPH would not have been a pretty picture!

[swan song]

Hey can you describe the sound? My t code makes a metal on metal sound. It sounds exactly like when brake pads wear out. But it's not heard at high speed.  Was your situation similiar? (Also, glad your safe)

[a2ndopinion]

It had a typical bearing whine growl, but when it let loose, it squealed like a pig! Ever seen "Deliverance"?

[tomsupra85]

Wow that's crazy. i destroyed a few of those diffs but never seized one.good thing is your going 7.5 and will have traction for a change with lsd.Id recomend getting the weir kit or shiming the factory diff for maximum enjoyment.

[a2ndopinion]

I do plan on the Weir LSD rebuild kit and solid pinion spacer. I'd hoped to have done that BEFORE the diff went in, but will now have to do it after the fact.

[Slinky]

DAAAAAMN! glad you and the car are both unharmed. thats a shame to have to tarnish your toyota tow record, but at least it was just a tow off the road, not a tow from outa the ditch!

I'm curious is a bearing heated and welded itsself up. I had that happen to the front end of my F250 once....scary shit. diffs locking up is just never a good thing 

[a2ndopinion]

Fluid was practically boiling out of the pinion seal when I looked under it. I'm not in a hurry to tear it down. I have plenty on my plate right now!

[Slinky]

Fluid was practically boiling out of the pinion seal when I looked under it. I'm not in a hurry to tear it down. I have plenty on my plate right now!

wow! with it being that hot, willing to bet bearing failure. some of the crazy things you see being a car enthusiast  cannot wait to see some pics of the innards 

[Rydman313]

I'm surprised how amused I am by this post, 5+ years after the fact. Maybe it's just the image of Bob broke down on the side of the road because he used a diff we knew was shit when we took it out of her car, I dunno....

[a2ndopinion]

Funny guy Brad! 5+ years later, and this comes up?
What’s bad is that the Sleigh has been sitting for about 4 years without being driven at all, but should be coming home this weekend so I can get started on the engine swap. That means it’ll be sitting here next to your girlfriend’s first car!

[Rydman313]

What can I say? Jack Daniels is a bad influence.... But really, there's a ton of memories here, lol. I feel like an old shit for sure seeing what these kids are doing these days....

[a2ndopinion]

You want to feel like an old fart? I should post a pic of our daughters together at our grandson Landen’s first birthday party.