On my way to work, I opened the first three gears up from a light. Didn't shift hard or really beat the drivetrain if at all possible, but pulled on base (military) and took a slight turn at 30mph and the ring/pinion gears slammed against the rear end cover and put 3 gashes in it. It still will drive but the gears are pressed up on the cover I believe and seem to grind against it. I was thinking it's what ever retains the ring/pinion gears, but don't know rear ends as well as I know other things. Any ideas, thanks!!!

 

Yikes, stop driving it and take a photo. Kind of hard to go by what you are describing, if anything it sounds like the main caps aren't tight?

 

its broken either way,open it up

 

It sounds like it's time for a new rear to me. Bob

 

sorry, but I don't have a camera. Opened it up and everything looks good except for the bolt head that dropped out after I took the cover off. The bolt is from one that holds the ring gear to the diff. The bolt probably is what caused the ring to push back and smack the cover gashing it. The bolt head it's self is completely shaved to hell, it created alot of shavings on the magnet inside. Their aren't any threads on the bolt at all and only has about 1/8inch on it. I tried to see if anything else came untorqued, but everything looks in still good shape. Other than the cover does anyone think it can manage for now if I just replace the cover and at a later time replace inside??? Taking it very very easy while driving or would it just start an entire new problem???

 

I know it's worth getting a 9inch, but can't afford to drop 2 grand on a new rear this moment. I just need a temporary fix for now.

 

Does anyone have a parts break down of a 10 bolt that's different than what GM has. I have a printout of the GM one and the bolt I need is not on there. There's the 10 bolts that are on the outer part of the ring gear itself but I'm looking for the 4 bolts that go through the inner part of the ring into the differential. If anyone has a part number or any clue on where to find it???

 

ttt...

 

maybe a trip to the junk yard?