metal shavings in diff

[90xsi]

hey guys i changed my diff oil today and on the bolt i found a bucket load of metal shavings. i inspected the oil that came out there is definately metal shavings in it. what could possibly be wrong with my diff? how long can i drive the diff in this condition?i was planning on going down the quarter mile soon so i guess i shouldn't?? and whats the cost of a gsr rear diff ?? if anyone has a gsr diff lying around drop me a pm
Thanks in advance
Phi

 

[mannynz]

It means you need to be doing more regular oil change.

 

[Muzz66]

Could be a number of things that have gone wrong which doesn't really matter any more.I would be doing a full rebuild or replacement.You wouldn't know how long its been like that.Say you found a crapped out bearing and replaced that only to find later down the track that dreaded whine comes and find the hardening had been worn of the crown and pinion and have to do it all over again.Try the WTB section there are a few difs about. Good Luck on your project. :thumbsup:

 

[SIVART]

every diff oil ive dropped there is always a bit in there

there should be a magnetic plug to grab it all

 

[ONPSI]

A mate of mine has a gsr rear diff if your interested i'll give him a call and find out how much he wants for it..only prob is its in qld postage might be expensive..

 

[Liberoz]

There's no need to swap out your diff unless you have large shaving metal flakes ect. when was the last time you changed your diff oil?
Should be done around 20,000kms

 

[CLuTZ]

Could it have anything to do with the bushes on your diff that were rooted?

 

[GSRPSI]

cant be as bad as this LOL

 

[90xsi]

this is the first time ive changed diff oil. i got the car not to long ago.
the magnetic plug collected a fair bit. lets say the magnetic plug had collected as much as the plug itself almost. so what would you guys recommend?? and in regards to the dif bushes i got the car like that so i dont know how long they been rooted for.

 

[Liberoz]

cant be as bad as this LOL

damm-_- no doubt a case of neglected worn bearings chewing out the race.

 

[bazeng]

What type of diff is it?
Mechanical LSD or viscous or open?

If it has a mech lsd, it is normal for it to wear.
If viscous or open, you will still get some wear...

It sounds quite normal to me honestly.

Were the flakes very fine?

 

[GSRPSI]

this is the first time ive changed diff oil. i got the car not to long ago.
the magnetic plug collected a fair bit. lets say the magnetic plug had collected as much as the plug itself almost. so what would you guys recommend?? and in regards to the dif bushes i got the car like that so i dont know how long they been rooted for.

is the diff nosiy in any way? try changing your oil agian in a month to see if there is more shavings

from what i know those diff are pretty strong

 

[JAP63]

It sounds quite normal to me honestly.

+1, things wear, its known,and when they wear..they produce these sorts of things

I wouldnt be concerned, unless you have huge chunks etc..but keep the oil fresh, these parts if allowed into the bearing will eventually destroy the diff, if it is very old and done alot of K's, its likely sometimes the surface hardening of the diff gears isnt as flash as when it was new..this means the metal face is softer, hence wears more...

Just keep the oil fresh, dont go rebuilding it til its got a problem though, I wouldnt.

 

[90xsi]

nah it was very fine just heaps of it. guess i should just worry about it when it breaks. once again thanks to everyone for the input. very much appreciated.
can't wait to get the opportunity to meet some of the members. i guess ill wait till the dyno day.
Regards
Phi

 

[Richard]

Sounds very normal, thats why there is a magent there.

 

[mrcyborg]

i pull down diff all the time, it sounds quite normal, more so if you dont know when it was last done. excessive amounts and larger piece will be come something to worry about, but noise will always be an indication in most cases.
gearboxes and diff usually have very long change intervals, like performance anything, needs to be looked after better and changed a little more frequently.