Rear diff options?

A

amalik

Senior Member
My ring and pinion are apparently bad in my rear diff, I can hear really loud sounds when in D or R at a stoplight. Diagnosed by local Toyota shop.

I know ECGS and others sell everything needed; but for DIYer's like me who rely on writeup's or [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] videos, what are the options out there? I don't think I'm up for setting pinion backlash and all that other complex jazz.
 
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amalik said:
My ring and pinion are apparently bad in my rear diff, I can hear really loud sounds when in D or R at a stoplight. Diagnosed by local Toyota shop.

I know ECGS and others sell everything needed; but for DIYer's like me who rely on writeup's or [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] videos, what are the options out there? I don't think I'm up for setting pinion backlash and all that other complex jazz.
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You'd be surprised how actually easy it is to set our gears. Only need few tools that's it. Maybe you have a friend who knows and could guide you ?
 
Options are:
1) buy a complete used rear end and drop it in
2) buy new gears and have them installed at a rear end shop
3) buy new gears and install them yourself

The biggest issue with doing it at home is the crush sleeve and pinion bearings but they make a solid sleeve. Setting the backlash and patterning the gears once the bearings and sleeve are in isn't that hard but it does take experience or a keen eye and a dial caliper on a magnetic base.
 
kolelt said:
You'd be surprised how actually easy it is to set our gears. Only need few tools that's it. Maybe you have a friend who knows and could guide you ?
Click to expand...

Don't you wrench for a living? =) If so, some bias in your statement saying it's 'easy', lol.

Most of my friends are not the 'wrenching type; unless you want to count fluid changes as wrenching (don't spill your drink while laughing on the floor).
 
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octanejunkie said:
Options are:
1) buy a complete used rear end and drop it in
2) buy new gears and have them installed at a rear end shop
3) buy new gears and install them yourself

The biggest issue with doing it at home is the crush sleeve and pinion bearings but they make a solid sleeve. Setting the backlash and patterning the gears once the bearings and sleeve are in isn't that hard but it does take experience or a keen eye and a dial caliper on a magnetic base.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I'll see what a shop who specializes in diffs would charge VS a general Toyota shop like the one I was at. Maybe a shop tech who mainly does oil changes and part swaps is going to charge more for 'special work' like this VS a shop tech who only does diff's all day.
 
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amalik said:
My ring and pinion are apparently bad in my rear diff, I can hear really loud sounds when in D or R at a stoplight. Diagnosed by local Toyota shop.

I know ECGS and others sell everything needed; but for DIYer's like me who rely on writeup's or [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] videos, what are the options out there? I don't think I'm up for setting pinion backlash and all that other complex jazz.
Click to expand...

The ring and pinion shouldn't be rotating while you're sitting at a stop light. So there shouldn't me any noise coming from them.
 
turbo8 said:
The ring and pinion shouldn't be rotating while you're sitting at a stop light. So there shouldn't me any noise coming from them.
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We think alike. I had the same conclusion.

I clarified with a ASE certified Toyota mechanic.

There is rear diff pressure being applied through the driveshaft in both D and R even if brake is being applied. Pressure is alleviated in N or P.

Its not enough to rotate the ring and pinion because your foot is on brake, put the attempt is there.

Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk
 
There is drive line pressure on the rear gears as observed when taking of your foot off the brakes and the vehicle will move by it's own power, but there shouldn't be any noise in the rear end.

When is the last time you checked the gear oil in the rear end?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
Why is everyones pinion bearing going bad? Does there need to be a recall lol? Ive read so many threads regarding this issue recently and I have a few friends with this problem. Seems to be worse than the axle seals
 
octanejunkie said:
That's what I don't know about. What parts in the locking diff might "rattle" at a stop light?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
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yea, I dont know, I drove mine around the block yesterday & my rear tires were chirping. I think my e-locker is locked. LOL I dont have it wired up yet. I'll have to put it up on stands & see if both tires spin. I need to get the drum brakes done before I take it out into public anyway. :hello:
 
Scramble said:
yea, I dont know, I drove mine around the block yesterday & my rear tires were chirping. I think my e-locker is locked. LOL I dont have it wired up yet. I'll have to put it up on stands & see if both tires spin. I need to get the drum brakes done before I take it out into public anyway. :hello:
Click to expand...

You can check by just jacking up one wheel a half inch off the ground. Release the brake and everything so you can spin the driveshaft freely with your hand, then try to spin the lifted wheel. If it doesn't spin you are locked.
 
I just got a whole "new" axle from the junkyard when mine went (locker of course), then drove 7000 km to California and back a few days later. No problems but YMMV.
 
What does the noise sound like that you are hearing? Does it only make the noise when shifting between D and R? Does it make any noise when you driving?

Let assume (for now) that there is something wrong with your ring and pinion. If I were you, I would find a new (used) 3rd member with the same gear ratio and just swap it in. That would be the cheapest/easiest route to fix it.......assuming there is something wrong with yours.
 
I cut a deal with a wrecker and had a housing delivered to my mechanic to install. No; doing differential work isn't easy if you work in an office and eat lunch at Qdoba.
 
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