heres a vid of a blown front end

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by Dave92270

now, what happens there in detail - the gears teeth are stripped/broken, or the gears dislodge, or/and the housing cracks too?

Sometimes all of the above. Here's what's left of my last one.







In this case, the gears stipped first, then the case cracked. I had to get dragged a couple miles off the trail (Fordyce) and eventually the carrier blew apart. When the tech at the dealership took it out it basically fell apart into what you see in the first pic.

Originally Posted by Dave92270

Is the rear diff prone to this type of damage as well? Curious.

Not as much. It's a cast iron diff with a bigger ring gear. I've chipped gears in mine and I know some people have had issues with the locker, but its not nearly as common as the front diff issues.

Originally Posted by Dave92270

Also, beside using common sense while off-roading, any practical tips to avoid blown front diff? thanks

LIMIT WHEELSPIN!!! Gassing it like in that video is the last thing you should do. Use your locker if you have one if you get a rear tire off the ground. Use lots of BTM. Try not to bounce the front end. Basically, try to keep it slow and steady.