I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden I felt some light vibrations. This lasted for about 10 seconds until I lost a wheel speed sensor and the vibrations stopped. Having lost wheel speed sensors before, I thought nothing of it and kept driving home. Upon getting to an exit ramp I could tell something worse was wrong. I could smell a horrible burning smell. When I got home and inspected, the smell was very intense and diff fluid is not just dripping, but pouring out the axle tube. My seals, gears and lockers are under a year old and are supposed to be warranted through that shop. Any idea what would have happened?

 

I would get it back to that shop ASAP. Looks like a seal failed, I had the same thing happen on my front axle. However, I don't know if that would be safe to drive depending on how much fluid you've lost.

 

I'm going to have it towed. With how fast it's losing fluid, I'm not risking further damage. My questions is how could a seal fail so badly and so quickly? I've had axle seals go bad and when they do, they leave like two drips per day on the ground. This thing legitimately blew and did all of a sudden. And somehow took out a wheel speed sensor in the process.

 

Bearing has failed and started coming apart. Then the axle wobbles around which will take out wheel speed sensor and trash the seal.

The only other thing I can think of is if the axle retaining bolts have come loose and the axle is pulling out.

 

I second this!

 

And you were correct!

 

Correct!

 

Did you get it all fixed up?

 

It should be done tomorrow or Tuesday at nearly no cost to me

 

Excellent.