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Could towing be the reason for the pinion failure? Towing puts additional pressure on the pinion and slightly alters its position on the ring gear teeth. And it doesn’t take Carolina Squat angles to cause the problem. Btw, Carolina Squat with more than 4” of height difference front vs back is now illegal in TN, GA and funny enough NC, SC. While I prefer fewer laws over more laws, I support this one.