long story short, snapped the pinion and locked the ****er up at 65 not sure what all in there is broke as it just happened about an hour ago and its been raining an im in no mood to go pull the cover in the rain lol. question is, how hard is it to change out the ring gear and carrier? its my daily driver and it cant be down for too long

 

It can be quite interesting...... need to see what all blew up. Changing out the parts themselves really isn't all that difficult.... getting them set up correctly IS. Setting pinion gear depth, and backlash, and such, is a right pain, and if you haven't done it before, and don't have the right tools available, you would be much better off paying someone else to do it for you. (and that ain't cheap either.....) You might be better off looking around for the whole axle.... drum to drum, and just replace it as a unit. Certainly cheaper......

 

don't even bother removing the cover.

go to the junkyard and buy a complete axle assembly for about $350 or less. if you've got 4wd be SURE and match the exact gear ratio. match your year range. later years have speed sensor in the top of the diff and tone ring on the ring gear. also match your yoke. 00-01 was different. see if you can get the springs with it and it give you more options if you have drivers side lean. discard both drivers side packs and install both passenger sides.

 

Look at it this way: You dont have to spend money on a locker now.

 

if it locked up the insides are probally toast might just be better off getting a junk yard one like dhvaughan said.

 

Thats the easiest way to do it is changin the whole axle. I blew the rear outta my old chevy a few years back and got a replacement from the junkyard for $350. Made the job really easy, and if you luck out like i did i got a rear end that looked like it just rolled outta the showroom with all brand new drums brakes and springs. Had the whole thing changed in a few hours.

 

lol not that kind of locked!! the kinda that my buddy was smoking the tires in 4wd in his jeep to get it out of the road lol.

what about a 3/4 axle? i know where i can get one of those for around $200

 

3/4 axle is fine, but match your gears and speed sensor setup.

you might have to change shackles, or yoke or driveshaft. i think 3/4 ton springs are 3" wide and 1/2 ton is 2.5"

 

Check your tires too..... good chance you have some flat spots on 'em now..... makes it ride really funny.

 

well if i get 3/4 ton ones im gunna go 4.10s, soo a couple good brakestands will take care of