[Austin05]

Ok guys I have never messed with rear ends. I drive a 2004 Nissan Titan LE 4x4. The other day I was driving about 35mph and the rear end locked up. I pulled over and saw of course the drive shaft hanging down. I took it completely out and put the truck in 4x4 hoping it would get me home (5 more miles) and when I try to go forward in drive the rear locks up. But in reverse it makes no noise and is smooth as can be?? Any help would be great. Tomorrow I am going to slide the axles out and then look at my pinion gears and what not. I don't know a lot about rear ended gears so anything will help me out. Thanks a lot, and this is why I love this site!!!

 

[LUBECAKES]

If you take the diff out make sure you mark the bearing caps. They absolutely must be put back in the way they came out.

 

[Nissan-MasterTech]

Common problem .

Take the diff. drain plug out and let the chunk parade begin LOL .

I've replaced so many rear axles in Titan I've lost count.

Gotta love those Dana 44's = JUNK !

 

[Carbeaux]

If it were just a Dana 44 it'd probably be OK. It's a proprietary Dana 44. Therein lies the problem.

I was disappointed to read that the axle going in the new Titan is also proprietary.

 

[Walrus]

30 some years ago, we drove a Ford Pinto home. Five miles. In reverse.

 

[HRTKD]

30 some years ago, we drove a Ford Pinto home. Five miles. In reverse.

But that was just so you didn't get rear ended and explode.

I learned to drive on a Pinto station wagon.

OP, if you don't know much about rear ends I would leave it to someone that does. Contact one of the forum sponsors. They'll send you a new one. Just Differentials.

 

[Supastipa]

Once you realize the rear end has grenaded....look into putting a true track in there, and if you don't already have one, get an aluminum cover for the diff. A properly vented Titan rear end with true track and good synthetic gear oil is pretty solid.

 

[blahblah2]

Could be a possibility that the e-brake exploded, have you replaced the pads before?