I took my M715 off roading yesterday and I ended up scraping a rock with the rear diff and managed to peel the diff cover back just enough for all the gear oil to leak out. Needless to say, after I was done off roading for the day and I headed back to base camp, the rear axle locked up doing 45 MPH stopping me cold with a horrible screech. I thought it was the brakes at that time since it was dark. I limped it home having it lock up about 30 times or more within 4 miles or so all at very low speed (less than 5 miles an hour and one tire on snow. I jacked up the rear and spun the wheels. the wheels spin freely, but it sounds awfull.
The question is, with no diff fluid, would the housing survive? or am I looking at spun outer bearing races with a toasted housing? I had to leave the truck at a friends house 130 miles away. I had no time to open it up, but I am trying to figure out if I swap out the entire axle, or buy all the insides and hope that it isnt trashed.
I would guess that someone on this site would have some extra stock gears from a gear swap laying around somewhere to sell me. so maybe I would just need to get some bearings to keep the cost low.
I may know someone with a spare axle, just not sure of the cost.
anyone have any experience with this?