Okay - one more question.

I had a guy email me back with a part - but he says it is just the differential assembly. Can I pull the axles out and just replace the differential, or would this require rebuilding it - which I don't have the experience to do? It seems like a pretty simple job to replace the rear end, but it's pretty expensive to get shipped out here -whereas just the differential assembly won't be as much - not as big. What would you suggest?

 

Does he have a picture?

And please post a pic of yours.

 

I'll have to ask him for a pic. We haven't gotten that far yet - still waiting on shipping quote.

I have some pics - will post in a bit.

 

So, this is my first time posting pics here. If it doesn't work, go here:
http://www.dharris75.com/durango.html.

Rear Diff



CloseUp of Diff - see the pinion jammed in bottom:



The hole in bottom of the Diff:




View of Front of Diff:




Pic of Axle Label:

 

You need a whole new axel housing.

You definatly have a 9.25" and 3.55 gearing!!!!!!!

You will need to get the same gearing unless you change out the front gearing as well. The reason you cant move it is because of the rear end is locked. If you put it on a dolly and disconnected the rear drive shaft the front would pull it I think.

If I were you I would replace the whole axel housing with 3.55 gearing and take your chances. I think you'll be ok, but thats my opinion.

 

DHarris:

WOW..... That is one fubarred Axle housing. As Hydra says, you will need to replace the complete assembly.

At any rate, notice the shot of the axle label where it says "3.55 open case"
This means your axle does not have the posi or Anti Spin carrier as Dodge calls it.

Another good point is being an 02, you do not have the rear disc brakes. Since 03 was the only year for that in the Gen 1 D, those rear ends are harder to come by.

I think any 9.25 assembly from a 00-02 Durango will work for you.

Surely you can get a better deal than $800 for shipping!!!!!!

Do you have any buddies in the military that might be able to help out in that regard??

Good luck with this project..........................Don

 

WOW,It looks like a gremlin used ur a-s end as a chew toy.Damn ya outta get a reward for most fubarred a-s end...My condolences to your axle housing=Ouch!

 

Thanks guys - that made me laugh. Yup - my wife called me stuck on the side of the road. The drive shaft was about 200 yards down the middle of the street.

Anyway - yeah, I knew it was a 9.25/3.55 from the dashboard, but found the label on the axle while I was rooting around under there. Thought I'd take a picture of it so you guys knew it too.

I found a freight company called approvedforwarders and they said they could ship from CA to Guam for $75! Just have to get it to CA.

I've pretty much got a handle on what I need to do. Had it up on stands and took the wheels and drum cover off. Is there any way to take the gears out so I can get the pinion unjammed? Obviously I need a new rear end - there is no salvaging what I have. But can I take the gears out to unjam it to use 4WD to move it around? I've read the manual and I still don't see what I need to do.

Anyway - thanks for the support...LOL! It's pretty screwed up.

 

DH:

It looks to me that you might be able to knock the pinion back towards the front of the case.
I think you would need to get both rear wheels up off the ground to unload the internals, and then using a big punch or drift pin to push the pinion back where it should be.

If you can do this, I think you can free up things enough to move it around by putting the T case in 4 HI.

I would carefully try to clear out as much damaged material from the pumpkin as you can to lessen the chance for more debris to lock things up again.

As is, the pinion will not come out the back unless you remove the carrier. The good thing is that the whole thing is junk, so your not going to really hurt it.

Don

 

A picture says a thousand words!