Diferential question

[Z71]

When draining the differential oil on my middle axle, I found some metal particles that came out with oil. These were not shavings, but larger metal bits, about the size of a pencil eraser or slightly smaller. They looked like bits of metal that have been chewed up by rotating gears. Could these be just harmless chunks that came off the axle tube itself or could there be a more serious problem? I have not had any noise or problems with the axles even after a 50 mile ride at high speed, no excessive heating. I have not found any metal pieces in the front or rearmost axle differential oil after draining. It has been a while since this discovery and maybe 1,000 miles of driving and no issues.

I wanted to remove the middle axle differential to inspect the gear and bearings, but I do not see how that is possible without removing the axle first from the truck, given the weight of the differential assembly. Is it possible to remove it with the axle in place?

 

[scoutmanadam]

one way to tell if its major damage is disconnect that axle from the other and take it for a drive then listen for unusual noises or feel if anything is different. i have never seen chuncks that size come out of a axle and there not be anything wrong with it. also, are the parts shiny metal, look like they have machine cut surfaces or edges to them, or are they just chunks of rough metal

 

[motomacguyver]

In my opinion, nothing will work well with chunks that large in it. And the chunks had to come from somewhere. It certainly wasn’t built that way. It might work for 3 miles or 3000 miles but I think you will eventually have problems with it.

I have read of folks removing the center chunk of a rear axel with a ratcheting tie-down strap for lifting. I’m sure it’s a “female dog” but it can be done.

 

[Z71]

My wishful thinking is that the chunks came from some oil container that military used to change the differential oil on these trucks, but that's just one possibility.

 

[Recovry4x4]

It can be removed but it's not the easiest task. What a few folks have done was to cut a small inspection hole in the floor of the bed to drop a lifting cable in. You would need to jack the aft axle up against the bumpstops and support on jackstands. This will gain you just enough (barely) clearance to remove. Plywood or some 11ga sheetmetal helps to make a ramp to pull the diff forward and slide it to the ground. Not easy but doable. I remove the bed of the truck myself.