Diff Debris

[manic]

After going axle deep in a salt lake I thought it might be a good idea to bring forward my plans to strip them down, blast and paint.

First step - drain the oil. I had put in some fresh EP before the Easter trip , it came out clean but the magnetic drain plug has picked up some nasty bits.

See pic - a couple of ball bearings and some vicious looking copper/brass coloured strips.

I will be taking the diff off so will get a chance to check for damage. I could do without having to replace/rebuild it though.

I've not dealt with the internals a diff before - any one care to prepare me for what may lie ahead?

[Bess]

G day Manic, mate that looks a bit suss, almost looks like a couple of bits of mig welding wire have gone through the diff. Has it been down before.

[manic]

G day Manic, mate that looks a bit suss, almost looks like a couple of bits of mig welding wire have gone through the diff. Has it been down before.

I think you may be onto something. When I imported the landy the rear diff had a small leak from around the seam of the diff pan, it had to be fixed for roadworthy. The place I took it too was run by an old timer, I think he was passed his prime - he was unable to remember simple things and took ages to get any work done.

Anyway he cut off the diff pan and welded it back on to fix the leak. I wouldn't be surprised if he left things in there- but what about the small ball bearings?

[jimr1]

I think you may be onto something. When I imported the landy the rear diff had a small leak from around the seam of the diff pan, it had to be fixed for roadworthy. The place I took it too was run by an old timer, I think he was passed his prime - he was unable to remember simple things and took ages to get any work done.

Anyway he cut off the diff pan and welded it back on to fix the leak. I wouldn't be surprised if he left things in there- but what about the small ball bearings?

Hi,are you sure that they are ball bearings , and not bits of spatter , ether way it's not good to have that lot in the diff housing . I know you don't wont to , but if it were me I would have to take the diff out and check it out , for peace of mind . good luck ..

[manic]

Hi,are you sure that they are ball bearings , and not bits of spatter , ether way it's not good to have that lot in the diff housing . I know you don't wont to , but if it were me I would have to take the diff out and check it out , for peace of mind . good luck ..

I've no welding experience so I suppose the balls could be spatter.. they look to be perfect spheres and identical in size.

I will be taking the diff out but I will need some assistance figuring out whats acceptable wear and what needs fixing - so I'll post some pics

[PhilipA]

Seeing there are NO ball bearings anywhere in the back axle, I would think they are spatter.
They could of course be bits of tapered roller bearings, but I would think you would be very well aware if a roller bearing had disintegrated to that extent, as the noise would be VERY audible ( unless you are deaf like me, and even I would hear it)
Just fill it with oil if it is quiet and keep your ears open.
Regards Philip A

[goingbush]

none of that stuff looks like it came out of the diff,
my guess is you dropped the plug on the shed floor.

thats exactly what it would look if it fell on my floor.

[strangy]

Definitely Welding spatter/ excess and wire.

Looks like the wire found its way through the gears a few times.

Cheers

[manic]

none of that stuff looks like it came out of the diff,
my guess is you dropped the plug on the shed floor.

thats exactly what it would look if it fell on my floor.

LOL

After cleaning all the gunk off the 'ball bearings' they are not so uniform. I'm now confident that it's welding spatter and wire from inside the diff. Certainly gone through the gears . I may get a moment later today to get the diff off and have a look see.

[manic]

Maximum points to Bess for calling it first.

Here's the inside of the diff housing - welding spikes a plenty



Suppose I just snip them off and move on.

The Diff looks OK but I'm not sure exactly what/how to check.





Diff crown looks uniform, no chips, just some small specks of discoloration here and there.





Planetary gears? They are uniform no damage visible but are a bit rattly when you move them about - normal?





Pinion, uniform no damage. Bearings all look clean - no noise. There is a small amount of play between the pinion and crown - not sure how much is normal.




Where the axle tubes engage look good to me, no visible damage.



Everything rotates without noise, there's a slight gritty noise in places but I'm pretty sure that's just a bit of grit I got on the crown when dropping it to the floor. Will clean it all up before putting it back in.

Anything else I should check?