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When mine went (at 175K miles) there was no noticeable warning signs in terms of sound or drive line slop. Perhaps a mechanic with a trained ear and butt might have noticed something but I doubt it. I honestly think the only way to really get a handle on it would be to remove the side cover, clean the R&P and inspect closely for any signs of cracking. If you clean them well (spray degreaser) you might even be able to get some flourescent penetrant in there (and a black light) to look for cracks. Another thing that can be done (but you'll need special tools and probably have to remove the trans) is to measure the backlash between the gears and the pinion pre-load (torque). If these are way out of spec, I would think it's just a matter of time.
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Early 85 944
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