Thing's that make yah go

The axle shaft is welded to that factory cover, they remove the axle so the gears in the differential doesn't spin , something about lack of lubrication and they bolt on a wood or cardboard cover.

 

Sawmill is correct the axles are removed so the driveline is not turning. If the driveshaft spins the trans main shaft will spin and the trans input shaft will be stationary. This will cause the pocket pilot bearing between the input shaft and the mainshaft will fail. The only time this bearing is spinning is when the clutch is disengaged all other times the input shaft and main shaft are essentially locked togeather.

 

Thv
Pretty sure the axles are pulled to allow the thing to roll free and not have to pull the drive shaft.

 

You're the 3rd person to blow a steer axle air bag in Wyoming in a 780 in the middle of the night . Lol. Scared the crap out of me I picked my phone up to change song and BANG then jerk to the side I thought steer tire forusre lol.

 

He has the actual axle out for towing. The wood is so all the gear lube is not last.

 

As mentioned already the axle is out to keep the differential, driveline, and transmission from turning. With the truck turned up like that the differential would not lube properly and likely to cause damaged if towed. Likewise, Eaton does not like any of their transmissions turning while being towed. They always recommend pulling axles or disconnecting drivelines while drive wheels are on the ground.

No "factory cover" : As mentioned that is the actual end of the axle shaft you see bolted to the hub. It is not welded but a forged part of the axle. And they do make covers to seal the oil up in the differential. Some cheapskate here never used them. You are only lucky if you get plywood to seal up the situation.