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Newell Gurus
1988 Classic Differential Failure - Printable Version

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1988 Classic Differential Failure - Show 488 - 03-13-2026

I just wanted to share an experience we had this week while traveling in our 88’ Classic #180. While on the 2nd leg of our trip from Harborview Rv Resort in Monroe Mi. to home in the Branson Mo. Area. The Rear Differential in #180 basically self-destructed resulting in a no forward motion condition with a ton of Racket coming from the rear of the Coach, but it didn’t lock up so I was able to coast to the Shoulder on I-69 just outside Anderson Indiana. After a brief investigation I determined that the Ring & Pinion Area of the Differential was damaged, Initially I was shocked as this Coach has been extremely reliable over the last 18 + Years of ownership, only requiring a Starter, an Alternator, Tires and routine Service & Upkeep (not counting upgrades to the Furnaces’, Refrigeration, AV Gear Etc… )

This is where the story gets better. We found a repair Shop willing to work on the Newell in Anderson (Big Rig Repair. LLC) who were about to close but recommended a Towing Company to bring us into town (Lawrence Towing) Who did an excellent job with Zero Damage to the Coach (including removing the Axles prior to Towing, to prevent additional damage from occurring) They instructed the Tow Driver where they wanted the Coach parked, as they were closed when we arrived.

The next day a quick assessment was made to confirm my suspicions’, and a new Differential was ordered with next day by noon delivery (at no additional cost). They insisted we could overnight in the Couch, so we did, only Taking the Jeep out to explore the local area. The next day (Weds) The coach Rear Axle housing was disassembled, Cleaned & Inspected. The actually amount of Destruction inside was unreal.  When the New Replacement Differential arrived as promised we were reassembled (including New Spicer 1710 Series “Red Box” U-Joints as one of ours had a broken Grease Nipple, 5 Gals of Synthetic Gear Oil, New Axles End gaskets, Shop Supplies, All for a very fair price! We were quite pleased with both the Professionalism & Pricing! As the repairs were completed at 6:30 pm we choose to stay the night and got a fresh start this morning headed home. We’ve just pulled for the night in southern Missouri and will be home in the am. I don’t often share much of our Travels but I do read all of your posts, and thought this time I had something truly use full to all to add.

Again just wanted to share this experience with everyone and give my highest recommendation to both of these Fine Organizations

Duanne

1988 Newell Classis

“Show 488”

RE: 1988 Classic Differential Failure - Richard - 03-13-2026

Thank you for sharing! After the dust clears would you post part numbers? It might help someone in the future.

RE: 1988 Classic Differential Failure - [email protected] - 03-14-2026

(03-13-2026, 05:49 PM)Show 488 Wrote:  I just wanted to share an experience we had this week while traveling in our 88’ Classic #180. While on the 2nd leg of our trip from Harborview Rv Resort in Monroe Mi. to home in the Branson Mo. Area. The Rear Differential in #180 basically self-destructed resulting in a no forward motion condition with a ton of Racket coming from the rear of the Coach, but it didn’t lock up so I was able to coast to the Shoulder on I-69 just outside Anderson Indiana. After a brief investigation I determined that the Ring & Pinion Area of the Differential was damaged, Initially I was shocked as this Coach has been extremely reliable over the last 18 + Years of ownership, only requiring a Starter, an Alternator, Tires and routine Service & Upkeep (not counting upgrades to the Furnaces’, Refrigeration, AV Gear Etc… )

This is where the story gets better. We found a repair Shop willing to work on the Newell in Anderson (Big Rig Repair. LLC) who were about to close but recommended a Towing Company to bring us into town (Lawrence Towing) Who did an excellent job with Zero Damage to the Coach (including removing the Axles prior to Towing, to prevent additional damage from occurring) They instructed the Tow Driver where they wanted the Coach parked, as they were closed when we arrived.

The next day a quick assessment was made to confirm my suspicions’, and a new Differential was ordered with next day by noon delivery (at no additional cost). They insisted we could overnight in the Couch, so we did, only Taking the Jeep out to explore the local area. The next day (Weds) The coach Rear Axle housing was disassembled, Cleaned & Inspected. The actually amount of Destruction inside was unreal.  When the New Replacement Differential arrived as promised we were reassembled (including New Spicer 1710 Series “Red Box” U-Joints as one of ours had a broken Grease Nipple, 5 Gals of Synthetic Gear Oil, New Axles End gaskets, Shop Supplies, All for a very fair price! We were quite pleased with both the Professionalism & Pricing! As the repairs were completed at 6:30 pm we choose to stay the night and got a fresh start this morning headed home. We’ve just pulled for the night in southern Missouri and will be home in the am. I don’t often share much of our Travels but I do read all of your posts, and thought this time I had something truly use full to all to add.

Again just wanted to share this experience with everyone and give my highest recommendation to both of these Fine Organizations

Duanne

1988 Newell Classis

“Show 488”


Appreciate taking us along on your little side adventure. Looks like the pinion may have disintegrated? Does this axle have the differential lock on it? 
I also notice the new differential ring gear is riveted on instead of bolted, not sure why they do this instead of using bolts. 
I am a bit worried about my differential on my Newell. I have a slight pinion leak and I am thinking about removing the carrier and having it inspected just to make sure its all good. 

We had a Wanderlodge member that had his ring gear shear those rivets, he is in his 70's and he and another member pulled the differential carrier out of the axle in a Walmart parking lot. Had it repaired, and then re-installed. There are many reasons for differential damage.

RE: 1988 Classic Differential Failure - Show 488 - 03-14-2026

Jeff, Good catch on the Rivets! With all that was going on i didn't notice the lack of Grade Markings on the heads, i certainly would have inquired about the use of Rivets vice Cap-screws. (this unit has a unlimited miles / 1 yr warranty) This axle doesn't have differential lock. I agree with your assessment of the Pinion disintegrating allowing the bolt torque to drop and shearing all of the retaining bolts. (earlier in the day t thought i heard and felt a fairly solid thump, but assumed it was the Tow -Bar assy. on the Jeep Tod, as I-70 east of Indy is in extremely poor condition right now)

I think it would be a great Preventative Maintenance action to inspect your Newell's Diff if you have concerns, as to replace the Pinion Seal the Drive Shaft be removed or at least the front U-Joint removed to remove the Yoke to access the Seal, and from this point it's simply pulling the axles and unbolting the Diff for removal. Changing the Diff oil and inspecting the magnetic drain plug can be very telling, it's almost all ways going to have something on it but definitely should not look mine did. Also take note of the BL (back-lash) Recorded on the new Ring Gear, I'll have to look up the Max In-Service BL allowed. With your Coach properly supported for Safety, turning the Drive shaft will also give you an indication of what's going on inside, so will the use of a Fiber-Optic Boroscope. My Hats off to anyone who could service and/or Inspect the Diff in a Walmart parking lot!! I have a very well equipped maintenance area for my Coach and would not want to have completed this job at home. (in another life i built Fairbanks Morse Opposed Piston Submarine & Train Engines)

All i have for P/n's is the Old Data tag on the Diff and some id marking on the new unit (pics attached) the new is only stamped with a S/n. The U-Joints are Spicer 1710's, and i stress the use of Spicer "Red Box" packaging as the Blue or Purple Boxed units are produced "off-shore"