dabshr

My brothers car locked up while they were on the highway. When he pulled over, he saw that the car's rear axle was in flames, which he put out and the car was towed to his mechanic. I got a call from him today saying that the reason the rear differential caught fire was that one of my rear tires was the WRONG SIZE. And it caused the sensors to send power to the rear differential when it wasn't needed. And it blew up. It's going to be about 800.00 to fix, using a used rear differential. he had had that tire replaced on April 21st at a Walmart (I know, I know---don't give him any grief, please) and they put the wrong size tire on his car. He doesn't drive much, and He hadn't done any highway driving until He took it out on Saturday. Somebody could have been seriously hurt or even killed and He's mad as hell. What do you think it was? Could tire size be that critical, I know with a locking rear diff, but that rear end does not have a locker, right? I have never messed with this system, I am used to dana 60's and stuff! Any Input will help, And if you got a rear end for a 96 outback! Dabshr