Sierra rear diff swarf

[West17]

Hi all,

Just wondering how much swarf is normal and when to start worrying! I removed the fill plug from my diff and found that the magnet was well crusted with swarf. The plug was replaced due to damaged hex drive and a new one fitted. I also pumped out the old oil and refilled with new 80w/90 GL5 oil. Just checked the level after a few miles and noted the new plug was again crusted with swarf. This time it looks pretty shiney stuff - I wondered about bearing running surface?

I guess the oil change could have flushed out more swarf and with the oil being clean the stuff looks shiney anyway - given it is not covered by the old dirty oil.

But grateful for others experience of these diffs - is a large amount of swarf normal - or is this the early warning of a diff about to let go. The diff does not appear particularly noisey and I'm not getting a huge amount of float.

Many thanks

[theshrew]

Its normal to see a bit. I wouldnt worry about it to much unless there is loads and loads of it.

Probably a bit of wear on the parts inside. Even if it does get noisey etc it will run for ages like that anyway.

If it was me id just run it if it goes then it goes just replace it. I bet parts to re bulid it will be just as expensive or not far off anyway.