Limitd slip additive - cause differiental bearing failure?????

[reesmicm]

Could "not adding" the limited slip differential additive with a Castrol gear change to the differential cause a bearing failure? 97 4Runner V6 2WD automatic 60k miles (gear lube changed at 53k, no noise, now at 60k lots of gear wine)

where would I find if my differential is limited slip?

 

[DRC]

From what I can recall there is some debate on whether or not any US 4runners ever had a factory limited slip diff or not. Regardless if it’s a LSD there would be a tag or marking on the diff itself or fill plug that would say LSD fluid only or something to that effect. To be certain you can check your axel code. Look at your vehicle sticker for the axle code. It might look something like:
A/TM:G294/A340E Made IN Japan (something like this)
In this example the G294 is the axle code. Once you know the axle code you can look it up and see if it’s for a LSD or not.

As for your question about the bearing failure that I am not sure on. From my understanding of LSD additives they are added to promote friction for the LSD pads to lock. I don’t think it would have an effect on the bearings themselves if it was added or not. Just on the performance on locking / un-unlocking. Mind you this is just my general understanding.
From what it sounds like you got about 7k before you starting hearing noise so it could just be a freak coincidence. Very hard to say.

 

[reesmicm]

lsd

from what I recall, it was noiser from the start after the oil change, it has just gotten way noiser in the past 7k. It's my wife's truck, so I don't drive it a lot.