So i was trying to recover a vehicle off-road, pulling in reverse loading the front end, i was working it pretty hard, heard a loud gear grind sound and lost the front drive and high gear. It will occasionally go into high but slips out quickly. Anyone have suggestions on what to look at first? There isn't any noise since the initial breakage. No fluids visible after. Has trutracs for diffs, stock ring and pinion.
Any help getting pointed in the right direction will be appreciated.
2001 disco BTW

 

If you don't see anything obvious, drain the transfer case oil and look for your metal. you can rebuild the one that you have or get another used unit and swap that in 1 day. If you are spinning the tires the thrust washers will wear down and take out the planet gears and cross-shafts, or so I have read. If you look at the t-case diagram in the workshop manual you will see what I am talking about. #16, 17, 18 in the diff carrier.

 

Check the front diff too.

 

Found the front drive issue!!

 

So you didn't notice the difficulty and obvious raquet when moving and trying to steer?

 

Holy cow!!!!!

 

What was that in its former life, before metamorphosing into scrap steel?

 

Looks like a CV joint...?

 

That "was" a CV joint.

 

To be honest there was no noise after the initial break and no problem steering!