Bighead

Last weekend I found pieces of my ring gear on the drain plug magnet in my rear diff. Toyota is replacing my rear differential on Friday. My question is about the gear break-in procedures. I know when guys re-gear they have a specific break-in procedure they need to follow. Here are some I pulled off the Reider Racing site:

1. Insure that the axle has been filled to the correct level with proper hypoid lubricant before driving the vehicle. The oil rating must be GL5 or higher.

2.Bring the axle to normal operating temperature by driving the vehicle (unloaded) for approximately 15 to 20 miles. Do not run full throttle accelerations or create any shock loads.

3. Let the axle assembly cool completely.

4. For the next 200 miles of operation, drive gently, without any heavy loads.

5.If trailer towing is intended, an additional cycle of 200 to 300 miles of break-in is required without the trailer. This is important! To properly break-in a new gear set, a minimum of 500 miles of driving is essential before towing.

- The dealer ordered me a complete 3rd member with, I assume, gears set from the factory. Do I need to follow the break-in procedures mentioned above? The dealership says no. I seem to remember a thread here or on ODW that said no. I am just looking for some clarification.

Thanks...

Flygtenstein

Go 10 or 15 minutes on, then off until it cools. No towing, no heavy loads and no high speeds.

Check the diff after driving and see how hot it gets at first. Then notice how it doesn't get as hot as teh gears break in.

Do the on off thing for a couple of days, then drive a little longer and a little faster.

Keep this up for 500 miles, then drain the diff and get wild.

This is exactly what I did and I now have 10k on the gears with no problems.