Went on a one way trip tonight...

[Cam-Shaft]

Needed to go to the thrift shop to pick up a shelf for my mom. Truck started fine as always but took awhile to warm up and kept having issues idling... Didn't think anything of it and went to get some gas.
Filled it up and went on my way. Idling was funky still but it was running. The floor hinge gas pedal broke off at this point so I tossed it to my passenger and kept on driving with the peg. Truck was jerky but I attributed that to me driving with boots on the gas pedal linkage.
Got another few miles when the truck sputtered out. Wondering what was up, I coasted into a nearby parking lot and got out. Truck wouldn't start so went next door to advance auto and bought a flashlight, oil, and some towels. Truck was a little low on oil, so I put in a quart, primed the carb, and it fired back up. Let it run for a bit and it was running very well, so I continued on my way.
Arrived at the parking lot the thrift store was in and heard some grinding noises. Thought it was a fluke, so I kept going through the parking lot.. Heard more noises so I pulled into a parking space and crawled underneath :wash:

Oil all over the transfer case, transmission and... the rear diff? Felt the drive shaft and it was dry, so oil was not dripping down it to get the diff wet. Grabbed the drive shaft and shook it and it was solid. Didn't want to risk it getting worse, so I bummed a ride home and here I am...

Anyone have an idea what is up? Did the driveshaft get out of whack and destroy the seals on the transfer case and diff at the same time?

I'll be towing it home on a trailer first thing in the morning but I thought I'd make a poll asking all you guys what you think it is before the analysis is in

Good luck guessin, may the best man win

[michael bustamante]

im in the same dilemna but with a 2005 2500. bent the driveshaft and the crossmember and now the brand new xfer case is leaking at the seals!!! i feel your pain man

[plastercracker]

let me take a guess. the truck has been using oil and u keep adding oil to it. thats y u have a wet trans and tranfer. the carb has been junk but it runs, and the rear diff has been leaking and at the thrift store it had enough and blew from age or no oil.

[Cam-Shaft]

Can't get a trailer, so the two truck is bringing it home later today... I'll keep you all posted

[Cam-Shaft]

Pictures coming, but I took off the diff cover and it looks like the gear on the end of the driveshaft came loose and was rubbing against the diff carrier? Didn't wear much as I stopped driving right away, but any ideas as to what cause it to come too close and rub?

[70STOVEBOLT]

You have to be more specific. Are you talking about the pinion? If it came loose you probably have a failed pinion bearing. Or the nut that holds the yoke on came loose.

[Cam-Shaft]

Little new to this, but according to this image the Pinion gear slid toward the rear and rubbed against the differential cage.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Did you find a failed bearing?

[Cam-Shaft]

Not yet, only pulled the diff cover. Going to pull the driveshaft tonight and see whats up

[70STOVEBOLT]

My guess is a failed pinion bearing, or loose nut on the yoke. What is the prize for guessing the failure?! J/K

[plastercracker]

what did i win? i am excited

[Cam-Shaft]

I'm also curious what you win!

[jessemthompson]

I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but it sounds like after you repair the rear end that your truck is in need of some basic maintenance. A decent carb would take care of your drivability issues and I know everyone has their own opinion but, when I ran a gen 1 small block I used an eldebrock carb and it was very dependable. Even in freezing tempetures. Then some trips to the car wash to pressure wash your drivetrain so you can eliminate the leaks you have. Luckily our trucks are pretty simple to work on. In addition, the answer to all your questions are lurking on the forums. A lot of smart guys on here who are willing to help.

[Cam-Shaft]

Originally Posted by jessemthompson

I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but it sounds like after you repair the rear end that your truck is in need of some basic maintenance. A decent carb would take care of your drivability issues and I know everyone has their own opinion but, when I ran a gen 1 small block I used an eldebrock carb and it was very dependable. Even in freezing tempetures. Then some trips to the car wash to pressure wash your drivetrain so you can eliminate the leaks you have. Luckily our trucks are pretty simple to work on. In addition, the answer to all your questions are lurking on the forums. A lot of smart guys on here who are willing to help.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I currently have an eldebrock carb on it, but it came with it and I think it is too big as it takes a few miles before I get any power out of it. Its a 650cfm I'm pretty sure and the motor is only a 307? Regardless, I am going to retire it for a month and rebuild the brakes/steering and check for any leaks. I did purchase a newer motor along with the hydroboost brakes and power steering system to convert the truck over and make it a little more reliable. I am sure I will have many more questions to ask in the near future.