Is my diff in trouble?

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Author Message   Scott Kopiec (Skopiec) Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 06:00 pm:    Bought a Disco with 51K miles on it about 6 months ago. As soon as I got it, I changed out all of the fluids, including the rear diff oil. Well I checked it again today (now has 56.5K miles) and the rear diff oil was very grey. I was surprised that it had gotten so dirty so fast! So I changed it out again, and saw a small amount of shavings on the plug, but nothing unusual. I live in AZ, so the chance of water contamination is slim So you guys thing something is machining itself in there, and my diff is facing impending doom??? Thanks, Scott   Kyle Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 06:03 pm:    All stock LR diffs are on the verge of doom.... Kyle   jec Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 06:15 pm:    Our rear diff started showing grey oil at 45k. Several oil changes later, at 58k, the dealer replaced the diff under extended warranty when we started getting occasional worse than normal "clunks" from the drivetrain. Truck has far fewer clunks now with the new diff. John   Scott Kopiec (Skopiec) Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 11:16 pm:    So quickly greying oil is a sign of trouble? Wouldn't I see more shavings on the plug? So correct me if I'm wrong, but if/when it explodes on me, I can just replace it with an ARB/Detroit?? Scott   PerroneFord Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 12:08 am:    I put 100k on my diffs with the "graying" and never had any trouble. Until I blew up the front through not checking the levels before a road trip. I didn't see any shavings on the plugs as I don't think they are magnetic. As for just "replacing it" with a detroit or ARB, well assuming you don't grenade anything else. In my case, when the diff gave out, I lost the ring gear, the pinion shaft bent, the bearings siezed and then broke, the carrier was ruined.. It's been replaced, but at significant expense. Without question, the most cost effective way to replace things, is before they fail catastrophically. -P   Ron Ward (Ronward) Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 08:49 am:    Can a Detroit locker in the rear and TT up front be installed with the stock half-shafts? I mean if you spin a diff and need to replace it or want to avoid spinning the worn diff. Ron Ward   Bill Bettridge (Billb) Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 09:07 am:    My rear carrier gave up the ghost at about 55K and the front is now at 65K and more shavings than oil come out every 2000 miles - just running it unitl it goes boom. Both cases - the carrier is what has worn - spider self-recesses itself into the carrier considerably. BTW - R&P were fine...... Bill   PerroneFord Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 09:43 am:    Ron, Yes, you can install the DL and TT with stock axles. I am running a 10 spine front but I bought a OEM 24 spline set of rears. If you intend to do much heavy wheeling, or you like to spin tires, I'd strongly suggest you get the HD ones. I've seen the abuse the stock 24 splines can take and it suits my needs fine. -P   Scott Kopiec (Skopiec) Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 11:17 am:    So is there any opinion that running synthetic in the diffs would help to prolong the inevitable to any significant degree? Maybe just use reg. dino stuff and change it at 6-10K intervals? I'd really like to avoid changing my diff...   PerroneFord Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 11:37 am:    You only THINK you want to avoid changing the diff! It's a really good thing to change.. I promise. I don't know many people running synth in the diffs but it seems as though it would offer the same benefits as it does for the engine. I know people running synth in the diffs on other trucks and they all report reduced noise, and reduced heat, as well as increased mileage. I don't know that it will reduce overall operting costs, but it couldn't hurt. -P   Roger Fastring Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 12:15 pm:    I run synth in the diffs, I put it in right when I bought the truck at 100k miles. The old fluid didnt look off in my opinion and I didnt notice any difference, but makes sense to do, not that much more $.