Driving with no axleshafts?

Hi,
Can our rear D70's freewheel with no axleshafts? Would the spider gears fall off?
Thanks,
Mikel

Theoretically, the wheels will spin just fine with no axle shaft. I would suggest a plate on the end to keep dirt out and oil in. I don't know about the spider gears. If you had to, I would just pull the drive shaft and both axle shafts. Then the center section thinks it is just sitting still and doesn't know to fall apart. Except for some big bumps to maybe knock it loose.

I'm with Barrman, if the chunk isn't gonna rotate the gears should stay in place fine. If you're going to tow a long way you may want to put a little extra oil in the rear as it won't be being splashed around by the gears set. ??

The differential and all internal parts will be fine - just install "dummy" paltes as described above. The axle shafts ONLY transmit torque - they do not retain anything.

Ever see a big truck (with full flaoting axles like the Dana 70) being towed from the front? They pull the axle shafts, not drive shaft (who wants to lay under a truck pulling them big-ole U-joints when they can just pop the axles?) That's the preferred method in many cases.

What about the lube level in the housing...without the axle shafts and gear cluster spinning, are the outer bearings, lubed by the gear oil, gonna get dry as nothing is "sending" them any? Does the rear need to be overfilled to compensate? I'm looking at 650 miles each way for the FE, can the rear bearings be greased for the tow? Would it be easier to pull the driveshaft than to pull the axle shafts due to the fluid situation?
brute4c