Cracked Carrier Housing-MYSTERY SOLVED

[Diogenes]

I thought I had fixed my leaking vent tube, but I still had a leak. I had to get the diff up to temp and then come home and run the car on jack stands to find the oil running out of crack in the carrier housing. I'm not sure how this happened, as it wasn't leaking before my gear change (professionally set up). It craked on the  upper driver side, above the fill plug.

Anyone have experience with cracked cases and suspected causes?

Has anyone purchased a fully assembled case with gear from Speedway? They advertise a new limited slip assembly with choice of gear for $825. Obviously it's no Strange setup, but its just a cruiser.

Any and all thoughts would be immensely appreciated!

[Diogenes]

Mystery solved. I just dropped the third member--my "professionally setup" gear has 4 ring gear bolts missing (in the bottom of the housing I'm sure), with parts of the threads imbedded in the differential case. All the other ring gear bolts are loose. This explains a whole lot.

The car drove fine, no whine, but I did have two instances of odd noise that I couldn't track down after spending considerable time looking. I had the ocassional "click", thinking u-joints (even though they were new).  I'm sure it was the ring gear shifting. Damn, this couldv'e been a lot more ugly than a wasted third member.

Now to see if he takes care of this problem. He is known for having a good reputation, so I will see...the fun of the automotive hobby....

[475fetoploader]

That’s terrible! Hopefully it’s taken care of. Glad it wasn’t worse!

[Diogenes]

Thanks. I showed this all to the girlfriend and she is not very happy, knowing what could've happened. We spent some time out in it a few days ago. It damn sure could've been a wrecked car. I guess I should've tried my hand at setting it up myself. Now I need an entire third member and the housing needs a thorough cleaning.

[Falcon67]

Finger tight ring gear bolts has to be a major brain fart on the builder's part.  That just should not happen, ever.  You loctite and torque the bolts after pressing on the gear, while it's still locked in the hydro press.  Only good way I know how to hold it for 60~75 ft/lbs of bolt torque.

[Dr Mabuse]

An Eaton Truetrac is superior to any differential with clutches - especially with a Ford 9".