Diagnosing broken axle/blow diff

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Cdubb, Jun 18, 2021.

  1. Cdubb

    Cdubb Light Load Member

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    Hey all,

    I have a 1995 IH 9200 T/A, only moves if the power divider is locked out, I have a few questions s about diagnosing this. It’s not making horrible noises so I’m hoping it’s just a snapped axle.

    The issue should lie somewhere in the front rear, correct?

    To check if it’s a broken axle would I only pull the ones on the front rear to look at them or do I need to look at all four?

    If it moves with the power divider locked out that should mean the divider itself isn’t the culprit right?

    If it is inside the diff I need to ID what rear end I have. The metal tag on it has number that’s don’t seem to cross to anything besides the gear ratio itself but has the International emblem on the metal tag. Where can I locate another number to know what it is? I have the trucks build sheet and it doesn’t mention what exactly it is. I think it’s an Eaton DS404 but I’m not certain.

    Regards
     
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  3. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Start by draining the gear oil out of FT. diff. and ck it for metal, then start pulling axles out to see if one is broken, it won't take long to find the deal?
     
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  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Could be front or rear diff. If the interaxle shaft spins with the power divider unlocked and you're not moving, I'd look at the rear diff. Failure will be there.

    If interaxle shaft doesn't spin with power divider unlocked and you're not moving, failure will be somewhere in the front diff.
     
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  5. Cdubb

    Cdubb Light Load Member

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    Everything spins with the divider unlocked, so we will be looking at the rear rear then?
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Yep that's where I'd start looking. Do you have full lockers? Because if you do you can lock in the rear diff and potentially limit it down even further before pulling axles and stuff like that.
     
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  7. Cdubb

    Cdubb Light Load Member

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    I don’t believe I have full lockers but I’m not sure how to tell if I have them, this is a new to me truck and I don’t think I’ve ever tan a truck that had them. How do I tell if I have full lockers?
     
  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    It'll have switches on the dash to control them Most highway spec trucks don't have full lockers.

    I'd start with draining out the oil into a clean drain pan. If there's lots of metal then something major has probably let go in the carrier assembly. If there's minimal metal I'd pull the axle shafts. Usually don't see massive amounts of metal from a broken axle shaft.
     
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  9. Inderjit

    Inderjit Medium Load Member

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    What make and model are the diffs?
     
  10. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Do you have an update for us?
    Get someone else to look at the driveshafts while it is gear clutch out. If only the front driveshaft is turning the problem is in the front axle. If both driveshafts are turning it is in the rear axle.
    After that I would start with a magnet through the oil level plug. You may find parts of sheered ring gear bolts. Gear teeth and or axles shafts. That gives you a clue where to start.
     
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  11. Cdubb

    Cdubb Light Load Member

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    Ah yes, no it doesn’t have those on the dash so no full locker. So I would imagine there is going to be some shavings even if the diff is good. I’m guessing these diffs are original and if they are they got almost 800k on them.

    Wish I knew, can’t read the casting numbers and the metal tag is gone on the rear and has no useful numbers on the fronts tag. Any ideas how to ID?

    No update but I can confirm both driveshafts spin with the power divider unlocked and the truck goes no where. I will update when I am able to get a look at it.
     
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