Eye-diagnose this DANA 35 differential (pics)

[barbaroja]

So while doing the oil pan job I decided to change the oil in my front diff. I am not the first owner of the ca (got it with 80k miles and now has 100k) and the case had a lot of RTV, so it must have been serviced at some point. Upon cover removal and some superficial cleaning, I discovered some raised edges in the spider gears teeth. In my hands the car has almost never seen 4x4 use. 99% commute. According to the ID is a DANA 35, 4.10 ratio.

Basically I want to know if it is normal wear or not and if it's not, then what to do to make them last longer or wear as they should.

Thx

 

[imp]

So while doing the oil pan job I decided to change the oil in my front diff. I am not the first owner of the ca (got it with 80k miles and now has 100k) and the case had a lot of RTV, so it must have been serviced at some point. Upon cover removal and some superficial cleaning, I discovered some raised edges in the spider gears teeth. In my hands the car has almost never seen 4x4 use. 99% commute. According to the ID is a DANA 35, 4.10 ratio.

Basically I want to know if it is normal wear or not and if it's not, then what to do to make them last longer or wear as they should.

Thx

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The gears you call "spider" gears are in reality axle gears. The spider gears are the smaller two.

Unless I'm seeing the images incorrectly, the axle gear on the left side appears half gone! There must have been a lot of metal shavings in the oil as well as sitting on the bottom of the center section. This condition must have generated much noise when turning a corner. Can't even guess as to the cause.

 

[barbaroja]

The gears you call "spider" gears are in reality axle gears. The spider gears are the smaller two.

Unless I'm seeing the images incorrectly, the axle gear on the left side appears half gone! There must have been a lot of metal shavings in the oil as well as sitting on the bottom of the center section. This condition must have generated much noise when turning a corner. Can't even guess as to the cause.

Thanks for the correction. Well maybe the pics are not good enough, the left axle gear is kind of the same shape of the right one. No significant amount of metal shavings that I could see while draining. Do you reckon the right one as in bad shape?

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Judging from the pictures show, the wear on the spider gears, and also on the drive/coast sides of the ring gear all look normal.
Now, I cannot make a judgement on what is not shown in the pictures, I dont know what the other side of the ring gear/pinion gear, or spider gears look like.

 

[transman304]

Is this what you are asking about? This differential looks totally normal from the pictures you provided.
Brad

 

[barbaroja]

Thanks for the replies, gents. Here are a few more pics.

 

[RickOTR]

Perfectly normal wear and tear. Put it all back together and put some fluid in it and you are set to go.

 

[barbaroja]

Is this what you are asking about? This differential looks totally normal from the pictures you provided.
Brad
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Yes, Brad that's what I'm talking about. Is it from the factory?

 

[transman304]

No damage or failure on that differential. Good to go.
Brad

 

[CDW6212R]

I agree it looks fine in the first pictures. Those last two though show some heat in the two spider gears, the color is a little darker than normal should be.

I'd say it has been a little low on fluid at some time, but likely it's not a problem now if the last old fluid looked clean.

Install new axles seals unless they are perfect and dry, and stick it back in. Use a top brand gear oil like Amsoil etc, don't go cheap on fluids.

 

[fdbiii]

Looks barely broke-in! From the second pictures, you have done more damage by getting dirt in it than if you had just ran it. The big thing is the pinion bearings,,, make sure you get them washed out well.