Gonna try to open it up tomorrow, and find out what actually happened, and how much damage was done. Housing is still in one piece, so that's a big plus!

Was driving along at highway speed (75ish) had a slight loss of power. Odd, but with no noise or feel, just gave it a little gas and got back up to speed. About two miles down the road, a cloud of smoke and all the grinding noises one can imagine... I knew I had a serious problem! I was actually taking the exit when the grinding stated, so I still got off the highway. At the top of the off ramp, had to come to a stop, but still was able to drive to the closest gas station off the top of the ramp (about 200 yards)

Any body know what I may be looking at...???

Mainly just had to vent! I've just been having a ****ty past few weeks, and now this...

 

Sorry bud.
Could be anything back there really???
Pinion bearing. Side bearings..... A whole mess of stuff.
It could range from just a straight forward bearing replacement or at the worst case a complete rear.
So your correct. A tear down will tell you.
You could get under and wiggle the driveshaft yoke up and down side to side to see if your pinion bearings collapsed as can happen I guess??
Good luck and remember.... Post up what you find and were all picture junkies here.
Al.

 

Just in case might be a good idea to start looking through Craigslist/ebay/salvage yards for a replacement (worst case scenario).

 

You have a problem rear end. Posi clips fall off. Don’t replace with factory carrier get aftermarket like an Auburn. or it will happen again.. they all go bad 2003-2005 ' the 9.25 rear end.

 

I wanna see some pics.

If it is grinding on the inside, its my opinion you would be lucky to salvage it

 

Sorry guys no pics, my buddy had it all torn down by the time I got out there. (I'm not gonna complain... lol)

But here's the deal from what he told me; inner bearing went bad, causing the ring and pinion to lock up and go bad. Housing looked to still be ok.

So tomorrow I'm ordering new bearings, ring and pinion, and all new seals.

Coulda been worse I guess.