Front differential chunks...

[ozzyleven]

This last weekend, I drained out both my diffs and I am worried about the front one. It's a 94 with 172,xxx miles. Oil in both was incredibly black. I'm guessing the previous owner had never done them. When I drained the front, I found a large chunk of metal in the bottom of the pan. It was probably 1x2cm in size and very sharp like it had been sheared off. Other than the chunk, no significant amounts of metal. There was some metallic sludge on the drain magnet, but not really any flakes. Stuck my fingers up there too to see if I could pull out any other large chunks but didn't find any.

How worried should I be about it? The vehicle drives well in 4x4, no clunking or grinding. Will it probably be fine for awhile? Any other way to diagnose problems with it? Also, what does a diff replacement usually cost? I am thinking I may want to start saving money now, this truck is slowly but surely becoming a money pit it seems. Thanks!

 

[Hyde802]

Sounds like a broken tooth. I would open the up to make sure. Diffs can be had from a junkyard for 50$, just make sure you get the right gear ratio.

 

[4runner_kid]

Sense it's the front i wouldn't really worry about it till your 4 wheel drive doesn't work.

 

[fourwd1]

If you don't do a lot of wheeling, I wouldn't worry about it until it causes a problem. Having a replacement ready to go would be handy. Front IFS diffs are pretty easy to find, people are removing them to do Solid Axle Swaps all the time. One with a 4.10 ratio goes for $50-75, other ratios go for more.

 

[ozzyleven]

Thanks for the info. For some reason I thought it might be a really expensive repair. I think I am just going to try to acquire a replacement and have that sitting in the shed for when 4 wheel goes bad on me.

 

[Hyde802]

It would be expensive to have some one else put it in for you, the labor is what gets you...or if you buy new parts.