Tx4x4Fun said:
Tonight while I was driving around I noticed popping sound coming from my LR axle when accelerating. It's almost like the axel is spinning around in the carrier.
It's a Dana 35 diff with factory axles and an ARB locker. (I know, I know, I'm dreaming of a 60, but ya gotta have $$ for that!)
Any suggestions on what it could be?
I tried the search button and couldn't find anything...
Hi Tx4x4Fun,
Don't you just love it when the forum known for such a high level of technical knowledge can't comprehend a simple question?
Or is it that the technical knowledge of some is a lot more limited then anyone would like to admit?
Perhaps all the knowledge of what makes for a better set-up then the one you have should just automagically make the popping in your differential disappear!
Heck take it to the implied conclusion; you don't really have a popping noise at all in your D-35, because you shouldn't have a D-35 at all !! How silly of me!
Anyway, "pick one" of the above.
I am sure you will find any to be just as helpful as most of the incredibly knowledgeable responses you received to your request for help.
That said, I will try to give you a few things you might want to look for.
Pick up a can of brake cleaning fluid. (Wal-mart $1.69)
Pop the differential cover, drain the oil and clean the differential out good with the brake cleaner and some compressed air if you have it.
Take a good look at the ARB Carrier End Cap Bolts. They have been known to come loose (Even on ARB's in D-60's).
Also look at your ring gear bolts.
They can come loose and give you a popping noise, particularly when going around a corner and experiencing the differential effect and during acceleration. (This can happen on a D-60 too! Wow Amazing!! Did anyone else every hear of this or it just an epiphany I alone am blessed to receive?)
If you find any of these bolts "loose" DO NOT Simply re-torque them.
Take each bolt out, one at a time and flush the bolt holes and bolts with brake cleaning solution.
Then blow out with compressed air to dry.
Once dry coat each bolt with Red High Strength Loctite and torque it down "once".
Never, ever re-torque a bolt that you have used High Strength Loctite on as you will break the sheer seal and it will not hold. (Even on a D-60 this can and does happen! Double WOW Imagine that !! Golly Geese Shucks!! )
If you find any of the bolts actually missing, on the carrier or the ring gear look for them, but there is no guarantee they will still be there.
I have seen them get chewed up and pulverize by the ring and pinion. (Yup I can't resist, you know what I am going to say, Even on a D-60!!!; a loose bolt can fall out and get chewed up and pulverized by the ring and pinion!!!! )
Anyway, if that is the case, I would pull the carrier, and check it out completely along with a good look at that ring and pinion gear. I would also flush both axle tubes (with brake cleaning solution) to make sure you get all the pulverized metal out.
There is also the possibility the outer axle bearings can be bad as will, but far less likely.
My guess is the ARB Carrier End Cap Bolts are loose. Or the ring gear bolts are loose or one or two have come out.
Hope it is this simple for you, and I hope this was helpful.
Let us know how it turns out for you. You never know.
I mean your problem just might very well be a problem that everyone else can have their D-60!!! And if that is the case nearly 100 percent of the folks on this board would benefit from your D-35 knowledge and experience!!!
Frank