Worn differential question, remedy?

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

If push comes to shove, you might be better off finding a good used diff from a yard, rather than rebuild the one you have. You could check the brake shoes (I am assuming drum brakes on the rear of this truck, am I wrong?) and replace them, and probably the slave cylinders as well, then either head for a shop with the ready rear axle in the bed of your truck.

I agree with Electrician, normally the clunking is loose u-joints in the drive shaft. May not be in your case, but, in my experience it's usually worn u-joints.

I should have mentioned, my van is my home. And it still runs fine, just must be a lot of wear in that Diff.

I am leaning towards pumping-out a enough diff-fluid so I can put in some new fluid and
friction-modifier/additive ......the oil back there is quite worn, maybe original.

Thanks everyone for all the advice, much appreciated!

[tickyul]

OK, today I pumped-out almost 2 quarts of diff-fluid and replaced it with 85w-140 and an additive. Yes, it is not optimal, but I am on the road and choose to go this route as opposed to doing the
full fluid replacement, which would involve taking things apart.

Definitely not a REAL fix, but the sound and feel is quieter and smoother. The whine is a lot less, shudder while accelerating is less. The thing that is most noticeable is the weird shudder feeling and noise when I let off the gas, that is just about gone.