Front Diff Help

Volley

New member
Hi all,

So long story short, my truck has had for lack of a better way to describe it, a whine coming from the front end. My shop had it today and initially like me thought it could have been a wheel bearing, but once putting it on the stethoscope things (I don't really know what they are but they measure/detect sound or whatever) and the sound was coming from the front diff. Took a look at the fluid and it was crap.

After the engine (my other thread) I really can't afford to have the shop fix this so my question is, are the front diffs rebuildable? Is it a DIY-able job? Any write ups?

Thanks!
 
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The front diff is most certainly rebuildable, but the front is not very DIY'er friendly.

The only thing that spins in 2wd are your spider gears so generally the diff does not get worn out. It could be your CV needle bearings whining
 
Caesar - hells yeah. This truck is going to fool around and find itself replaced with an FJ40 at this rate... It was making the noise before the engine went, quite some time before actually. Both CVs have been replaced within the year or so (leaked after lift)
 
The front diff is most certainly rebuildable, but the front is not very DIY'er friendly.

The only thing that spins in 2wd are your spider gears so generally the diff does not get worn out. It could be your CV needle bearings whining

Darn it :bash:
 
Can someone tell me how to find out which gears I have in my front diff? In the market for a replacement and want to make sure. Thx
 
Look at the door jam sticker. You should see a code labeled as "A/TM" Most likely it will have the code A03A or A04A.

The A03A is a 4.10 and the A04A is a 4.30 (usually auto with elocker)

I actually just ordered a new (used) diff for my truck after breaking both spider gears on a rock climb. I found one with 90,xxx miles, 90 day warranty for $175. Most I found were around the $250 range.

Hope this helps.
 
Find one at a wrecker and swap them out ?

- Less expensive then rebuilding one.
- Easier for you to do yourself.

Same thing happened in an older Toyota I had with IFS when the gears went and started "whining"... found one at a wrecker ... gave the guy $100 and swapped it out that day. Put some new fluid in it ...Good as new :thumb3:

Hell I have a couple laying around here you could have for free but i'm in Canada.... very common item though.
 
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Find one at a wrecker and swap them out ?

- Less expensive then rebuilding one.
- Easier for you to do yourself.

Same thing happened in an older Toyota I had with IFS when the gears went and started "whining"... found one at a wrecker ... gave the guy $100 and swapped it out that day. Put some new fluid in it ...Good as new :thumb3:

Hell I have a couple laying around here you could have for free but i'm in Canada.... very common item though.

$100 Canadian or USD?
 
Sorry my A.D.D is acting up ... what exactly was the purpose behind the question ? I cant figure it out for the life of me. Why would it matter if it was Canadian or USD ? ... the difference is like $5
 
Sorry my A.D.D is acting up ... what exactly was the purpose behind the question? I cant figure it out for the life of me. Why would it matter if it was Canadian or USD ? ... the difference is like $5

I should have included a :) with my question - just being facetious
 

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