I changed the rear diff fluid this weekend to put in some amsoil. Some stinky black gear oil came out....

On the magnet on the cover there were thin pieces of metal stuck to it. Almost looked like the shavings you get when drilling a large hole with a drill bit.

My best guess is pieces of side gear thrust washers? Anybody got a better one?

Everything was tight as far as the bearings go and the carrier still has preload on it, the spiders/sides show some tooth wear, the crosspin was tight in its holder, and the ring and pinion look great. Got 204000 miles on the clock.

 

Nope, sounds like a good guess to me. I'd replace the side gears and spiders before they get all sloppy.

 

differential bearing shims.

 

Looking on TDR I think the bearing shims might be correct assumption.

Now I gotta find a shop in north eastern ks, or south eastern NE that can take a look at it.

Don't know if I should try some big truck service places or what.

 

I have the same problem, but don't have any end-play in the carrier, so I am more worried about the worn out spider gears and shaft. I have a used LS carrier to put in, but haven't had time to put it in -- and I don't really have all of the measuring tools that I need, either . . .

If you don't have any end-play iun the carrier, and the wear on the gears looks good (good contact pattern), I wouldn't worry about the shim being puked out. It is probably the difference between .004 pre-load and .000. The bearings really won't care too much.

 

you need to check the backlash