If it wasn't for the extreme smoking of the leaky axle oil arond the end of the rear end/brake area, I might have thought I just hit something on the road. It was smoking for a few minutes and I intially thought I might have to pull the fire extinguisher out. I wonder if it is possible that heat build up and bits of metal in the oil from the brakes just had a tiny explosion of some sort?

The shop had plenty of experience with rear ends. They were trying to find a used ring and pinion but could not find any. The last time I talked to the owner of the shop, he was looking for new parts. Is that even possible? I thought the Trooper had the same rear end and they are plentiful. Any suggestions?

thanks