Found this when changing rear diff oil!!

[mehcs]

Just be careful to swap a diff with the same ratio unless you are going to swap out your front diff too.

Yep, makes sense. Will likely keep it at 3.73 don’t need to throw anymore money at this truck.

 

[Schurkey]

There is a fourth option: Junk yard rear axle. Quick, cheap and a lot easier to find a local mechanic who can do the swap for you without screwing it up.

Entirely reasonable.

Long time ago I bought a spreader

Again, TOTALLY reasonable for many varieties of integral axle/differential...but not needed for a 10.5" axle, which is set up using threaded adjusters. The adjusters just get unthreaded; no need to spread the case.

Now I am fearless tearing apart an axle.

You're a better man than me, Gunga Din. But I'm getting there.

 

[mehcs]

Howdy folks.. short update on my situation.
I took the truck to a local shop since I don’t have the time or proper tools to tackle this.
What they found was the pinion support bearing failed but the bigger issue is that the race has been spinning and caused damage.
The new bearing which should be pressed in is basically slip fit and can be turned by hand in the bore. The pinion shaft also has damage.

Two options were to try and ping the bore and used green loctite or new axle.
Since I’m planning to use this to tow a 6klb travel trailer it was not recommended to try and repair.

Found a used axle with 100kmiles on it and 6 month warranty for $700. I think that’s the direction I’ll go unless you guys have any insight..

 

[Bob2650]

That is a winner!
Been there done that.

 

[Bob2650]

It can be glued in but the wear is never perfectly straight so the pinion won't be straight either.

 

[mehcs]

It can be glued in but the wear is never perfectly straight so the pinion won't be straight either.

That’s exactly what they said. Also they mentioned the backlash is double what the spec is.