Front differential fluid, do I need to recover from this?

[Derick]

So, I dont think I've ever owned a 4x4 vehicle and run into diff fluid that is THIS shiny.

Do I need to recover from this somehow, is failure imminent? I dont use 4x4 that often, in fact I was disappointed about how little I used it this past 'winter.' One thing I did notice is when I got stuck in the mud, ahem twice, I do really only have 3 wheel drive. I understand that is common with a non locked diff...but again, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know for certain. Anything I need to worry about here? I was planning on changing the fluid again in a few weeks to get more of that old gunk out.



Shes 12 years old, 149k miles.

 

[08HoeCD]

I am not nearly as knowledgeable as others on here when it comes to used diff fluid and how to diagnose by its color. But in my humble estimation, the only way the fluid could be that silvery in appearance is if there is a crap ton of metal shavings suspended in the fluid. Adding your description about having 3-wheel drive rather than 4-wheel, my hunch is your gearing is on the brink of failure.

Again, my knowledge is limited, so let's hear from the gurus.

 

[swathdiver]

So, I dont think I've ever owned a 4x4 vehicle and run into diff fluid that is THIS shiny.

Do I need to recover from this somehow, is failure imminent? I dont use 4x4 that often, in fact I was disappointed about how little I used it this past 'winter.' One thing I did notice is when I got stuck in the mud, ahem twice, I do really only have 3 wheel drive. I understand that is common with a non locked diff...but again, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know for certain. Anything I need to worry about here? I was planning on changing the fluid again in a few weeks to get more of that old gunk out.

View attachment 220212

Shes 12 years old, 149k miles.

Looks runny, sure that's not water in there? How does she sound when driving, engaged or not?

 

[SnowDrifter]

I think you're on the right track changing it again in a little bit

Realistically: Don't put the cart before the horse. Is there a bit more wear on there on account of ****** fluid? Yeah. But that doesn't mean that the part is automatically EOL. I wouldn't bother tearing it down until you need to. Diffs will audibly tell you when they're shot.

Edit: I should add my own diff story

Got the car at 114k. Front output shaft seal leaking. Front diff had but a thimble of fluid in it. Uncertain how long it was like that. It was noisy and gross in 4wd, made it to 135k before the noise began to snowball (get louder, faster) at which point it was replaced prior to any catastrophic failure

 

[Erickk120]

So, I dont think I've ever owned a 4x4 vehicle and run into diff fluid that is THIS shiny.

Do I need to recover from this somehow, is failure imminent? I dont use 4x4 that often, in fact I was disappointed about how little I used it this past 'winter.' One thing I did notice is when I got stuck in the mud, ahem twice, I do really only have 3 wheel drive. I understand that is common with a non locked diff...but again, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know for certain. Anything I need to worry about here? I was planning on changing the fluid again in a few weeks to get more of that old gunk out.

View attachment 220212

Shes 12 years old, 149k miles.

Did all the oil look like that metal paste? Mine looked like that when I first drained it at 200k miles, I wouldn't be surprised if its the original oil. If everything sounds normal while engaged I wouldn't sweat it. It's probably the original oil with break in included and that probably shed all those particles in the oil. I would run it a bit and change it again. What did the drain plug look like when you inspected it, was it a lot shavings or fine paste?

 

[BG1988]

So, I dont think I've ever owned a 4x4 vehicle and run into diff fluid that is THIS shiny.

Do I need to recover from this somehow, is failure imminent? I dont use 4x4 that often, in fact I was disappointed about how little I used it this past 'winter.' One thing I did notice is when I got stuck in the mud, ahem twice, I do really only have 3 wheel drive. I understand that is common with a non locked diff...but again, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know for certain. Anything I need to worry about here? I was planning on changing the fluid again in a few weeks to get more of that old gunk out.

View attachment 220212

Shes 12 years old, 149k miles.

run it tell almost failure then buy a used one

 

[Derick]

Looks runny, sure that's not water in there? How does she sound when driving, engaged or not?

It did seem runny, but not milkshakey. Best I can tell its engaged, the 4WD light kicks on nearly immediately now. Sometimes it took a couple of seconds prior to the fluid change.

 

[Derick]

Did all the oil look like that metal paste? Mine looked like that when I first drained it at 200k miles, I wouldn't be surprised if its the original oil. If everything sounds normal while engaged I wouldn't sweat it. It's probably the original oil with break in included and that probably shed all those particles in the oil. I would run it a bit and change it again. What did the drain plug look like when you inspected it, was it a lot shavings or fine paste?

The word 'paste' to me seems like it would have some solids in it. To that, I would say no. It was very smooth, but also very thin/light like I mentioned above. There was pretty significant build up on the magnet bit of the plug, but no chunks. I would say powder metal, no larger bits. It's whipser quiet, I've never had any problems with it, this was just on my maintenance list, and I had not gotten to it until now in the ~10 months I've owned it.

 

[Derick]

Uncertain how long it was like that. It was noisy and gross in 4wd, made it to 135k before the noise began to snowball (get louder, faster) at which point it was replaced prior to any catastrophic failure

How/with what did you replace it? Did you do a junkyard pull, or buy new?

 

[SnowDrifter]

How/with what did you replace it? Did you do a junkyard pull, or buy new?

Purchased a reman unit.

In hindsight, it would have been worth my time to rent/buy the tools and do it myself. Not really happy with my experience w/ the reman unit

 

[swathdiver]

The word 'paste' to me seems like it would have some solids in it. To that, I would say no. It was very smooth, but also very thin/light like I mentioned above. There was pretty significant build up on the magnet bit of the plug, but no chunks. I would say powder metal, no larger bits. It's whipser quiet, I've never had any problems with it, this was just on my maintenance list, and I had not gotten to it until now in the ~10 months I've owned it.

Call it good to go and soldier on. I run mine through the paces at least once a month, AUTO, 4HI, 4LO, Neutral. Next time you're down there look for the vent hose and make sure it's good and routed properly.

 

[89Suburban]

Call it good to go and soldier on.

Yeah, put new oil in it and throw some Lucas oil stabilizer in there while you at it.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Yeah, put new oil in it and throw some Lucas oil stabilizer in there while you at it.

Meh. Use either 75w90 or 75w140. The lucas stuff sucks ass IMO. It's literally just thick oil. There no additives in it whatsoever. If you want thicker, buy thicker and don't dilute the additive pack in your current oil.

 

[89Suburban]

Meh. Use either 75w90 or 75w140. The lucas stuff sucks ass IMO. It's literally just thick oil. There no additives in it whatsoever. If you want thicker, buy thicker and don't dilute the additive pack in your current oil.

Yo man, don't be crushing my hopes and dreams, I don't have many left.