How can you tell?

[nyyef]

i have someone that is going to give me a 12 bolt cheap!! but i dont want to have a piece of junk lying around in my house.
just by pulling the cover and inspecting the inside, other than the wear pattern on the gears, how can you tell by looking at it if it is ok? (without installing it and driving around).
thanx

Knife.
knife.coloradok5.com

 

[CBLAZER81]

Try grabbing stuff and seeing if it wiggles/moves in the obvious wrong directions.For example...the ring gear and carrier,shouldn't move either side to side or in and out.
(round and round is a good thing though)

.See if the outer ends of the axles move alot when you wiggle them side to side/up and down.These might point towards it needing a rebuild.A LOOSE CABOOSE IS A BAD THING!