if you can not spin the yoke by hand, pinion or carrier or both bearing preload is too tight. did the carrier look like a sure grip? cuz it is acting like an open diff, or a completely smoked sure grip
Thanks Marco, someone else also suggested the preload may be too high. Yes it is definitely a SureGrip, it has the closed-in clutch pack, with the bolts around the extra part on the crown wheel. I have seen a picture of the cone type ones (Auburn style) and they have the visible springs. This one doesn't.
The place that did it years ago has gone bankrupt and I can't vouch for his skill in diffs! But the carrier bearings were replaced, however that doesn't mean he looked at the clutches. They may be the original ones and may be worn out, or like you say, smoked. All this time sitting on my shelf, clean and nicely wrapped in plastic, here's me thinking it is a good centre.
