SPOOL?

OK, so I broke my shit awhile back. Thought it was just a hub. Threw a drive hub in and worked off and on for the day. Replaced the hub, but still no traction on the drivers side wheel. Pulled the front diff cover to find metallic gear oil. All the pins and springs broke in my aussie locker. I found about 1 1/2 of the pins and 1/2 of a spring. So this has caused some crazy shit to happen in my diff. Not sure how bad the bearings are yet, since I have not pulled the ring gear out yet. I can see markings on the teeth of the ring gear. Nothing deep, so I hope I'm good there. I talked to Cam at KT, and he said take it apart and bring it to them to see how bad the damage really is. They could press new bearings on for me.

My question to you all is this. If I use my truck as a daily, have locking hubs, would putting a spool in the front of my truck even be an option? Or, is there another option? I know that turning with a spool is a bitch. I don't really want to pony up and buy a detroit. I really don't want to deal with this mess again.

Davin.

Not sure what kind of hubs toyotas have or you have, but if the hubs are unlucked you would be able to tell that the spool is there at all. now when you lock the hubs that is a totally different story.

Carl

Bearings are probably fine, order some new pins/springs and go on down the road. It's not like there's a load on them w/ the hubs unlocked and the tcase in 2wd. No worries.

what Big G said will be your cheapest option. With 35" tires you shouldnt be breaking the pins unless you get in a serious bind. Do you remember when it happened? I would suggest getting the pins and springs and then save your money over time and get the detroit, because it sounds like that is what you want in the end. Might sound cheaper now to just throw a spool in but more expensive in the long run.

Carl

Are those mini spools worth a damn? Lango, what do you run in your front diff?

I was trying to climb out of wild cat on the steep rocks at the end. I heard a small snap sound. Thats when I pulled my hub and found it destroyed.

welded diff front and rear, have warn locking hubs and when in 2wd nothing in the diff spins at all. I am not sure the yotas are like that. Also I dont have to drive mine everyday. Hell it doesnt even resemble the pic anymore and I couldnt call it a vehicle yet. But I have had it at 70 mph down the highway.

Carl

I've got a DANA 44 front with warn hubs. If you run a welded front diff, it can't be that bad to turn. But you have hydro steering don't you?

Prolly the time I put you in the waterfall I had assist, but now full hydro. Welded and spool is the exact same thing. I wheeled for a long time with a welded front with out any assist and it sucked. You just have to be ok with taking your time and backing up alot to make sharp turns. Glenn wheeled for a LONG time with a welded front and no assist.

Carl

I can get a mini spool for 45 bucks. I might try it. Thanks for the help though.

Davin, just get pins/springs and be a little more careful, or carry spares. You likely won't like a spool/mini spool at all. You won't get any more traction out of them, and will be out more $$. Start saving for a detroit like carl said.

I have broken pins as well. They were $12 to replace all 4 of them. That would be what I would do as well.

JB