Metallic deposit in front diff oil

[03SportMT]

Hi.
2003 Wrangler Sport, I noticed a little bit of oil on the passenger tire and pulled it into the garage to fix it. Everything was ok until i pulled the front diff cover off to drain it. First thing I noticed is some one has been inside it cause it’s got no gasket and a lot of gasketmaker on it. 2nd …the gear oil was LOADED with fine metal particles……looked like metalflake paint. Oil is normal looking ie….no water damage ….and I could not fish any chunks of metal out of it. I can turn a good wrench but I have never messed with axle’s & gears. I am wondering if I can diagnose it and rebuild it. Or find a shop…..this is a Small Town and good Mechanics are hard to come by.
Thanks
Rick

 

[pagrey]

If there is no noise and the gears looked okay then there is probably no problem. I'd just change the oil and keep an eye on things. No gasket is also no problem, very few experienced mechanics or shops use gaskets on diff covers. I'd be worried if the cover looked like it had never been off before, that's a bad sign.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Sounds like either a bearing is coming apart or the ring & pinion gears are heading south. What do the gears look like?

 

[03SportMT]

Sounds like either a bearing is coming apart or the ring & pinion gears are heading south. What do the gears look like?

They look ok to the inexperienced eye!

 

[03SportMT]

If there is no noise and the gears looked okay then there is probably no problem. I'd just change the oil and keep an eye on things. No gasket is also no problem, very few experienced mechanics or shops use gaskets on diff covers. I'd be worried if the cover looked like it had never been off before, that's a bad sign.

Thanks, there is no noise.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Your "the gear oil was LOADED with fine metal particles" certainly indicates a problem.

 

[JMT]

Hi.
2003 Wrangler Sport, I noticed a little bit of oil on the passenger tire and pulled it into the garage to fix it. Everything was ok until i pulled the front diff cover off to drain it. First thing I noticed is some one has been inside it cause it’s got no gasket and a lot of gasketmaker on it. 2nd …the gear oil was LOADED with fine metal particles……looked like metalflake paint. Oil is normal looking ie….no water damage ….and I could not fish any chunks of metal out of it. I can turn a good wrench but I have never messed with axle’s & gears. I am wondering if I can diagnose it and rebuild it. Or find a shop…..this is a Small Town and good Mechanics are hard to come by.
Thanks
Rick

If you have no whirring or strange noises it’s probably fine. It’s normal to get some fine metal in the oil. It’s good you found RTV gasket since it indicates the gear oil has been changed and it needs to be changed every 13-15,000 miles. It may have been a long time since someone changed it. Just clean the diff out well with brake cleaner, seal the diff cover, add new gear oil and change at next 13,000 mile interval.
.

 

[03SportMT]

If you have no whirring or strange noises it’s probably fine. It’s normal to get some fine metal in the oil. It’s good you found RTV gasket since it indicates the gear oil has been changed and it needs to be changed every 13-15,000 miles. It may have been a long time since someone changed it. Just clean the diff out well with brake cleaner, seal the diff cover, add new gear oil and change at next 13,000 mile interval.
.

I will think about that…..is it some thing that others have discovered?

 

[JMT]

I will think about that…..is it some thing that others have discovered?

Fine metal shavings? Yes.

 

[williambmac]

Assuming that it's got a dana 35. if it has an open differential, I would look at the spider gears to see if they are pitted.
If it has the limited slip, it's probably friction and plate material from normal wear.
There will always be metal in the gear lube, its normal wear. As long as you aren't getting large pieces or chunks, and not experiencing and whining/whirring/clunking noises, it's probably fine.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

It’s normal to get some fine metal in the oil.

He said his was "LOADED with fine metal particles". Some and loaded are two different things to me. I've opened/drained my axles many times and never were they loaded with fine metal, I don't actually recall ever seeing anything that could concern me like how his "loaded" description concerned me.

 

[williambmac]

Sorry, I didn’t catch it was the front diff.

Can you post up a pic of the fluid.

 

[03SportMT]

Sorry, I didn’t catch it was the front diff.

Can you post up a pic of the fluid.

Yes I will try……..it looked like metalflake paint when you mix it up in a paint can.

 

[eastbloc]

Fine metal and metal flakes that shine and clearly stand out, like glitter bomb, are two different things.

Look at ring gear under different light angles, there should be a spot on a teeth bit shinier than the other. Same with spiders, those shavings are coming from somewhere. Any signs that pinion nut backed off?
If nothing, then like Jerry said, a bearing.

 

[JMT]

He said his was "LOADED with fine metal particles". Some and loaded are two different things to me. I've opened/drained my axles many times and never were they loaded with fine metal, I don't actually recall ever seeing anything that could concern me like how his "loaded" description concerned me.

Not trying to give bad information. I think we just need more information on this one since we're not clear on what it means. Loaded could be the result of 85,000 miles without a gear change, or it could mean a problem in the diff, but if there's no odd noises or broken teeth then ???

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Not trying to give bad information. I think we just need more information on this one since we're not clear on what it means. Loaded could be the result of 85,000 miles without a gear change, or it could mean a problem in the diff, but if there's no odd noises or broken teeth then ???

My take on it is it's a ticking time bomb since one of its bearings might be on the way out. It may start making noises tomorrow, next month, or perhaps in 6 months. I personally not assume it's ok after he said his gear lube was "loaded" with metallic particulates.

 

[03SportMT]

My take on it is it's a ticking time bomb since one of its bearings might be on the way out. It may start making noises tomorrow, next month, or perhaps in 6 months. I personally not assume it's ok after he said his gear lube was "loaded" with metallic particulates.

Well, axle bearings are junk!

 

[03SportMT]

Not trying to give bad information. I think we just need more information on this one since we're not clear on what it means. Loaded could be the result of 85,000 miles without a gear change, or it could mean a problem in the diff, but if there's no odd noises or broken teeth then ???

Just grabbed the ring gear and the whole thing moves at least 1/4 inch right and left, further inspection revealed the axle bearings are shot.

 

[CharlesHS]

Just grabbed the ring gear and the whole thing moves at least 1/4 inch right and left, further inspection revealed the axle bearings are shot.

After watching that video; the axle bearings are definitely shot and I would bet the ring and pinion gears have abnormal wear; which is where most all the sparklies are coming from.

 

[JMT]

Just grabbed the ring gear and the whole thing moves at least 1/4 inch right and left, further inspection revealed the axle bearings are shot.

Whoa! How are the ring and pinion teeth?