Well, it's more of an issue of how much rust is there and I beileve the two of us would rather see a picture just so we are sure and on the same page. I have had rusty ring gears before and drivin them for years with light pits on the gear. But I want to be on the same exact page before I say go for it don't worry about it.
The metal is very very strong and tuff. It would be rare for one to break even if there is some rust on it.
If the rust was bad enuff, you could loose a tooth or 2.... That in itself is not the end of the world. The loose tooth could be real real bad. Locking up the rear gears and tires.
I'm a car inspector for the Long Island Railroad. I have seen similar sized chunks of metal (Tooth from a cars ring gear) lock up a set of wheels on a train trying to leave Jamacia station. (They main hub for the railroad in NYC)
Trains also have ring and pinion gears to each set of solid axle wheels. It happens, rarely, but a tooth will fall off and get caught up and lock up a set of wheels.
This is on a train. Each car weighs approx. 90 tons. Give or take a few on the car. If it is a bathroom car or not. etc........
Times this amount by a min. of 8 cars. 8 X 90 tons is A WHOLE LOTTA WEIGHT! And a little tiny thumb sized chunk of metal stops the wheel from turning.
