I have a 2002 ramvan 2500 the differential started leaking fluid so I have it on jack stands and pulled off the cover to check inside. I found there is a NASTY smell to the oil and also there are scoring marks on the outside of the spider gear case.I'm attaching a couple of pics to show what I mean.

The van has 392,000 miles on it with a recently rebuilt trans and it also had the upper part of the engine rebuilt last year.

 

Welcome to DF
You may need to start with a ring and pinion gear set and a carrier housing too. hope the case housing is okay. Also replace all bearings.

 

Any suggestions on best place to get those? Should I start with auto parts store? or try salvage yard?

 

Looks like your pinion depth was not set correctly, and it was hitting the limited Slip carrier.
You should resize your photo larger.

Gear oil is very smelly stuff.

It appears like you have had a large amount of metal particles circulating in the whole unit. The Axleshafts could be badly pitted and no doubt the bearings are toast.

To replace everything inside the axle can cost 1500$ just in parts.

http://www.ringpinion.com/

You might be better off finding a whole new junkyard axle. Finding one with limited slip might be difficult.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. This rear end is original equipment, so it would not surprise me if wear and tear was the culprit since there's 392,000 miles on the van.

I'm trying to check around to see where I can find a junkyard axel here in kissimmee fl.

 

Besides your vehicle information, enter your zip code and sort by distance.
http://www.car-part.com/

 

For auto parts the best option is E-bay.

 

Who wants to pay $400 in freight charges to ship a rear axle. He's much better off buying it within driving distance, especially if something ends up being wrong with it.

 

Right, shipping heavy eBay parts around the country wouldn't be very smart. Local junkyard or Craigslist is worth a try.

Now if you needed something light, like an air filter, eBay would be a fine choice.

I can't remember... didn't someone around here need an air filter?

 

www.accuautoparts.com



Try this!!!