| Author | Message | ||
     Norm Orschnorschki (Norm) Member Username: Norm Post Number: 46 Registered: 02-2003 |
Yesterday I was checking the fluid levels on my '95 and noticed that the fluid in the rear diff looked dirty (front diff looked clean and F&R were both filled 5000 miles ago -- no apparent leaks in either diff.). Drained the rear diff and the fluid had a distinct black cast. Also noticed black film coating the inside of the diff. Started a program of flushing out the rear diff with cheap fluid and the black seems to be gradually disappearing. Anybody know what this black stuff is from (other than dirt) and if it's something to be concerned about? Also, is there anything I can safely add to the rear diff to flush this black stuff out quicker? Thanks, Norm | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Senior Member Username: Billb Post Number: 780 Registered: 02-2002 |
If it's black and a bit sparkly - then you have gears/bearing/diff case eating itself most likely. Bill | ||
| Blue (Blue) Senior Member Username: Blue Post Number: 53 Registered: 04-2003 |
I'd just initiate a frequent fluid change program for your rear diff with the same fluid you normally use. Like on the order of once a week for a few weeks and see what you get. Using different (cheap) fluid in an attempt to flush out the diff is just going to confuse the issue. Any metal shavings in the fluid or on the plug? | ||
| Norm Orschnorschki (Norm) Member Username: Norm Post Number: 47 Registered: 02-2003 |
There doesn't appear to be any metal bits in the fluid, just a black tint -- maybe this is just the early stage of a meltdown. Normally I use Amsoil 75-90 gear oil, which was what was in there when I first noticed the discoloration. ---Norm | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Senior Member Username: Billb Post Number: 782 Registered: 02-2002 |
If it was anything like mine - that's probably the beginning of the end - both my front and rear diff carrier ate themselves - spider gear was self-recessing into the carrier. Started out with discolored gear oil and progressed to metal shavings. Hope it's not in your case Bill | ||
| D. Chapman (1hank1) Senior Member Username: 1hank1 Post Number: 260 Registered: 02-2003 |
I changed mine when I installed my locker. My fluid was a metalic gray color in both the front and rear. Ever since I have changed the fluid, about 3000 miles ago, the new fluid still looks new. | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 147 Registered: 10-2002 |
if you dump the fluid and immediately move a small magnet just above the gear oil, can you make designs? if so something is wearing, you dont need to see shavings, the magnet test will tell you to count your pennies! you may have quite a while before you get noise, Good luck! Peter. | ||
| Krys_P (Krys_french) New Member Username: Krys_french Post Number: 21 Registered: 04-2003 |
Peter has a good solution, And another one is to pour the oil in a large flat bottomed very clean plastic thing, let your oil rest for some time (to let metalic stuff to deposit on the bottom of your tank), and then slowly pour the oil in a nother container, if there are any, some metalic parts should appears on the bottom of the first tank, and if you don't see anything, use your finger to try and pick some stuff in the oil (if you feel hard things on you finger while rubbing them with a bit of the rest of the oil on the tanks, problems may occur). Then, be very carefful with the sound of you rear diff, try to listen to it on bumpy roads, a dying diff is making that "klink" noises sometimes when a metalic part is stuck between two teath. If you hear that noize, then stop immediately... Krys | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 633 Registered: 03-2002 |
You can also fill a ziploc freezer bag with enough fluid so that laying out, it's about 1/2 inch high. Then take a magnet and run it over the bottom or top to see if anything gets "attracted". Seems like I was talking to someone recently about rear lockers and such (maybe Bill@GBR?) and for the D2 that is offroaded frequently and ETC is running a lot, the spider and carrier wears very quickly. | ||
| Blue (Blue) Senior Member Username: Blue Post Number: 78 Registered: 04-2003 |
you all do realize that gear oil is nothing magic...you've got metal engaging metal here with a just a little oil to keep it slippery and vastly extend the service life.... |
