Locked rear differential

Posted by jgrohn On 2024/5/23 2:51:22

My 1956 Patrician (with torsion level suspension) has a new problem. It seems that my rear differential has locked up. If I raise the car in the air, and set the gear into neutral, when I spin one rear wheel in any direction, the other rear wheel spins with it, as well as the drive shaft. If I drive straight, there doesn’t seem to be a problem, but if I turn, I hear a loud bang (since the left and right wheel can’t spin independently). I changed the rear diff fluid last year, and it still looks clear and at the right level. I am also getting excessive backlash when shifting into reverse or drive. It seems that I need to take apart my rear differential in order to see what is wrong.
In order to inspect what is going on, do I need to remove the complete rear axle as described in the “Rear Axle Removal” section of Sect15_RearAxle.pdf, or is it “possible” to inspect and possibly remove the assembly while the axle and differential carrier are still attached to the car?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,
John