[quote author=Gumby link=board=2;threadid=6723;start=msg55093#msg55093 date=1067033608]
I would say Drexx's breakage had nothing to do with the pinion strength if I remember his post right. I want to say he was full throttle up a hill climb and started bouncing and didn't let off. Nothing's gonna take loading and unloading like that.
"Course, I wasn't there, I just read the trail report.
Christo has done a little destructive testing for us too. one of those many birf breakages could have caused cracks in the gears that didn't show up right away. I would say carnage on the 80 front end has been pretty minimal all things considered.
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OK, couple of data points. I have only ever broke 1 birfield on this truck. This is the SchoolBus and not the ShortBus.
I believe I damaged it earlier this year when pulling the guy out of the snow backwards with lockers on. Just after pulling him out, the front diff did not sound right. I drained the fluid and found a very small (about 1.4") piece of gear on the drain plug. Pretty much knew it was damaged, but have not had time to pull it appart. The truck does not get used much.
Then last weekend we were on a club run and on the way out there were these fun hooptydoos. Had to gas it a little to see how the new suspension would deal with it (well that is the official excuse). I believe the front was unloaded a little and when it came down I heard a noise like something breaking.
Well, it was late, it was about 20 miles from the shop, and we did not have tools with us. Hey it was supposed to be an easy run, so we drove it back to the shop. Sounding like a train comming back and pretty much knew it was busted. Didn't seem to be a birfield a the time, since both wheels still pulled.
So all in all, it sucks, but it has forced me to pull it appart and fix it in any case. The truck has been for sale for a while and it was always the plan to fix the diff.
Moral of the story, the front is pretty strong, but not industructable.