Broke my M's rear pinion shaft..

[achiem37]

Thanks Paul : Both cases look really good. I would like one of them if you can get a quote for the shipping. The second pictured carrier looks good to me. Here is my address for the shipping estimate and I'll give you my email address as well. Let me know what you need for it,,,Terry..

Terry Acheson
1740 Ovens Road North
Newtonville, Ontario
L0A 1J0

t__acheson@sympatico.ca

[paul]

sipping is 28 buck for 6 day or 70some for 3 day

as for price , well around 50 buck would be fair would it?

so if you send me 78 buck it will be in the mail and at your place in +/- 6day, there is a western union here

[achiem37]

Thanks Paul: I will send you the money order or what you would like on Friday. I need your address or destination for the money. $ 78.00 is ok by me,,, Terry

[paul]

my adress is

paul boudreau
202 rue godin
beresford nb
e8k 1t6

[achiem37]

Paul I put the money order in the mail today. Should be there Turs or Wed.. Terry

[paul]

allrigth will mail it monday!

[paul]

pm sent with tracking number

[343fireman1]

I haven't gotten into the rear yet but I suspect I have the same problem. Just today, I was starting off in 2nd, as you were, and heard a sound come from the rear. Tried other gears and didn't move an inch. Left it in a drive gear, went under the truck and found the rear drive shaft spinning with no vehicle movement - also, no grinding or shearing sounds or vibrations. I feel as though I'm mechanically adept but after reading this post I'm starting to suspect I'm not capable of doing this easily myself. Im not familiar with much of the terminology you guys are using. Looking for advice as to whether or not I should tackle this myself (with significant research and my trusty army issue service manual), or look for a used rear axle (which I haven't even priced yet).

[MSeriesRebuild]

I haven't gotten into the rear yet but I suspect I have the same problem. Just today, I was starting off in 2nd, as you were, and heard a sound come from the rear. Tried other gears and didn't move an inch. Left it in a drive gear, went under the truck and found the rear drive shaft spinning with no vehicle movement - also, no grinding or shearing sounds or vibrations. I feel as though I'm mechanically adept but after reading this post I'm starting to suspect I'm not capable of doing this easily myself. Im not familiar with much of the terminology you guys are using. Looking for advice as to whether or not I should tackle this myself (with significant research and my trusty army issue service manual), or look for a used rear axle (which I haven't even priced yet).

Based on the discription you have offered here, most likely your problem is a broken axle shaft.

[343fireman1]

Is it true that it is commonly the drivers side shaft rather than the passenger that's broken? Also, someone in an earlier post noted that removing the innermost part of the shaft is possible using a magnet of some sort. Is that the best way, and if so, can you elaborate on how you think it might be done?

[M37UK]

Is it true that it is commonly the drivers side shaft rather than the passenger that's broken? Also, someone in an earlier post noted that removing the innermost part of the shaft is possible using a magnet of some sort. Is that the best way, and if so, can you elaborate on how you think it might be done?

If you are using a magnet I would recommend the neodymium iron boron type, the strongest magnetic material available:
http://www.supermagnete.de/eng/CSN-25
You could screw that to the end of a wooden brush shaft or similar.
Although this is a German seller I'm sure you can get them Stateside.

Good luck

[343fireman1]

"if" I use a magnet? What other suggested methods are available in the home garage setting?

[MSeriesRebuild]

How tough it will be to remove broken pieces will be unknown until you see the circumstance of the break, if the shaft is twisted, etc. Many times, tear down will be necessary in order to remove pieces.

You can count on this though, unless you pull the diff out of the housing so all small chards of metal from the break can be removed; they will be carried everywhere within by the oil as it circulates. Axle shafts never just break clean and chip free, but shatter like broken glass due to the hardened nature of the metal. Chips carried by the oil will ruin bearings, gear teeth, thrust washers, and surfaces in a relatively short amount of mileage. This stuff can not be removed by draining and replacing the oil.

[M37UK]

How tough it will be to remove broken pieces will be unknown until you see the circumstance of the break, if the shaft is twisted, etc. Many times, tear down will be necessary in order to remove pieces.

You can count on this though, unless you pull the diff out of the housing so all small chards of metal from the break can be removed; they will be carried everywhere within by the oil as it circulates. Axle shafts never just break clean and chip free, but shatter like broken glass due to the hardened nature of the metal. Chips carried by the oil will ruin bearings, gear teeth, thrust washers, and surfaces in a relatively short amount of mileage. This stuff can not be removed by draining and replacing the oil.

Yep, I should know that more than most Charles .............