Sparkly Front Diff Oil
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Sparkly Front Diff Oil
I'm rehabbing an '87 4Runner that I picked up cheap with a bunch of problems. Major problems all solved, and now I'm working through the scheduled maintenance on the assumption that the PO didn't keep up with it.
Today was differential oil change day. The rear diff fluid looked black but healthy. The front, though, had a lot of small sparkly metal powder in the fluid. I'd estimate the size as being smaller than sand particles, no big chunks, but it was kind of alarming how much of it there was - enough that that the oil looked shimmery and metallic when we dumped it at Autozone later this evening.
I don't know much about the truck's history. I think the diffs are both stock, but I'm not certain. I had the truck off road and in 4L yesterday for the first time in at least a few months, in case that matters.
Can anyone interpret what is my front diff trying to tell me? Thanks,
--Rich
Today was differential oil change day. The rear diff fluid looked black but healthy. The front, though, had a lot of small sparkly metal powder in the fluid. I'd estimate the size as being smaller than sand particles, no big chunks, but it was kind of alarming how much of it there was - enough that that the oil looked shimmery and metallic when we dumped it at Autozone later this evening.
I don't know much about the truck's history. I think the diffs are both stock, but I'm not certain. I had the truck off road and in 4L yesterday for the first time in at least a few months, in case that matters.
Can anyone interpret what is my front diff trying to tell me? Thanks,
--Rich
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's going to have metal shavings in it every time you change the oil. Unless it's making noise or some big chunks of metal came out, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heh - and don't forget that the gray gooh sticking to the magnet is common. It's very fine ferrous material picked up by the magnet over time. Clean it off and carry on.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Yeah, the grey goo on the magnet is exactly what I'm talking about. No bigger chips or shards. It's nice to hear it's common and NBD - maybe I'll move on to the next item on the checklist with the time I could have spent pulling the diff apart for inspection. Thanks, everyone.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FS[PacSouthWest]: 2- 8"3rd members:4.88 ratchet lockers,new setup kit, rear axle rebuild kit,diff armor
jerusry
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
1
10-19-2015 05:28 PM
GreatLakesGuy
The Classifieds GraveYard
8
09-04-2015 09:27 AM