Center Diff Problems!!! (1 Viewer)

[Toyo Boyo]

Prior to the truck I now have, a guy tried to sell me one without the front drive shaft. He says its better on fuel economy.

Turns out the front diff was totally FUBAR. He kindly offered to source a second hand replacement. No thanks, to much hassle as a newbie to LC's.

As stated, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Finger crossed for ya.......

 

[80t0ylc]

..... the vehicle was sold to me without a front driveshaft. .......... Any suggestions?

Uh, nooo, not really. None that you'd want to hear.

 

[bbb18c1]

Wow sorry to hear tha!

I can't believe the used car dealer is so shady! I would think they would take some kind of responsibility.
Hope everything is good to go and a new driveshaft is all you need.

I appreciate everyones input. Here is the latest update, the vehicle was sold to me without a front driveshaft. I called the used car dealership that sold the vehicle to me and they said "we purchase these vehicles as is and sell them as is. I then called my brother in law who is an attorney and he basically confirmed what the man told me......it's as is. I don't really want to purch a new drive shaft, and at the moment my thought process is to purchase one from a junkyard. Any suggestions?

 

[Twiggles]

Did the dealership publicly advertise ANYWHERE that this was a 4wd vehicle? If so, its false advertisement and you might be entitled to some form of compensation...just a thought. I would try as hard as possible to get them to cover the expense! Good Luck!

 

[newsomew]

I found a used driveshaft today and it should be in this Friday. Crawled under the vehicle to have a look-see and I discovered that there is about 1" of play in the front differential. I won't know what's going on with it until Friday, but hopefully the driveshaft solves my problem.

Purchased the vehicle at $3900 (they were asking $4500). It's a 92 and has only 120,000 miles. Exterior is in excellent shape. Purchased the driveshaft at $325 and it needs a radiator. If these are the only two major issues then I think I'm okay with the purchase. If it turns out the differential needs replacing or rebuilt then I'm thinking I got screwed.......

 

[Chaldaean]

Crawled under the vehicle to have a look-see and I discovered that there is about 1" of play in the front differential.

1" of play twisting it or pulling on it (grabbing the flange and pulling toward the back of the truck)?

Rotational play (twisting) is not uncommon.

 

[newsomew]

Yes, rotational play of about 1".........so there is hope yet?

 

[Chaldaean]

Yes, rotational play of about 1".........so there is hope yet?

Well, mine has this much play (link to 8 second long video) in it and, from what I've read, I think that's normal.

Anyone with more experience want to chime in?

 

[CJF]

If it turns out the differential needs replacing or rebuilt then I'm thinking I got screwed.......

Nah.

No point even thinking that way. Even if you have to send the diff. out to be rebuilt, you'll be fine in the long run.

Heck, it might even just be a stripped drive flange.

Keep us posted,

Curtis

 

[IdahoDoug]

I think you're fine. These are tough over built machines more akin to agricultural equipment than road vehicles. The front diff rotation is fine. I think you're actually going to be happy how this ends, which will be a grinding sound and little or no movement when you try to drive off in high range w/o the difflock. Followed by replacing the drive plates for reasonable money - what, $100 for both?. Be sure you grease the splines when you install them - which you can do with the wheels on the ground, btw. All you have to do is remove the center caps and pull the drive plates. Do some searching here. Also, there's a right and wrong direction to mount the front drive shaft. Now would be a good time to get a factory manual...

DougM

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

"As Is" means different things in different states, especially when the seller is a licensed dealer. At the least, research the laws in your state and if you feel like he sold the vehicle to you full well knowing about the deficiency, you'll have leverage on your side. Simply put, if he had prior knowledge (which I have to believe he did) and didn't mention it there's still disclosure principles that were violated.

I've had the pleasure of seeing rip off artists get there's and there's almost nothing better, good luck to you with this.

 

[newsomew]

Chaldaean - Thanks for the mpeg....that's exactly what it's doing.

Looks like tomorrow is D-Day. The drive shaft will be in so I'll put her on and let y'all know what happens.

 

[80t0ylc]

Looks like tomorrow is D-Day. The drive shaft will be in so I'll put her on and let y'all know what happens.

Hope it works out for you! What happened to you is why most experienced off road buyers climb under, over, around & thru a used vehicle before buying it. And that's just what's visible. There's a whole 'nother world under the surface. But, now you know that, right? You're learnin'!

 

[e9999]

Chaldaean - Thanks for the mpeg....that's exactly what it's doing.

Looks like tomorrow is D-Day. The drive shaft will be in so I'll put her on and let y'all know what happens.

didn't go back to read it all, but did you check everything to make sure it's OK before you drive it with the DS? (as in jacking it up, rotating tires, checking for noise, opening up diff etc).
I would not just drive it given that there may be something wrong.

 

[newsomew]

I can't catch a break! The front drive shaft that I ordered used from the local Toyota dealership came in and was damaged (the threaded hole where one of the bolts go was damaged from the torch the removed it). Told the dealership that I'd just prefer to go to a junkyard myself to hand select a used DS, then asked for a credit and they said they wouldn't give me a credit till they were sure that they would get one! WTF has gotten into people these days?

Anybody got any ideas where I can find a deal on the front drive shaft for a 1992?

 

[Beowulf]

... opening up diff etc.

Please elaborate.

-B-

 

[e9999]

Please elaborate.

-B-

as in Pumpkin, Mr. Stickler for nomenclature...

I meant try and make sure all seems OK in there. Oil, no metal chips etc.

 

[reconranger]

Purchased a 92 Landcruiser a few weeks ago and discovered the "Center Diff" button today (it was had been in the "in" position since the day I purchased the vehicle). Decided to press it (traveling appx. 40 mph) and I came out of gear grinding down the road. I then pulled over and pushed the button again while in park and drove off. Curious......I pulled over once more, pushed the button (disengaged), tried to drrive off and it was like I was in neutral. Engaged the "Center Diff" button and drove off again. What the heck is going on with my Landcruiser?

Not to ignore the missing drive shaft and not owning a '92, but I don't think this is a good thing to do. Ever. In this truck.

Anyone w/ a '92 care to comment?

Man, I hope you enjoy your truck a long time. It'll take care you if you take care of it.

 

[Beowulf]

as in Pumpkin, Mr. Stickler for nomenclature...

I meant try and make sure all seems OK in there. Oil, no metal chips etc.

So are you suggesting that he "open up the diff" (your exact words) as in removing the 3rd member? or, are you saying open the diff fill plug and look in? or, are you saying open the diff drain plug, drain the diff fluid, and inspect?

We can't read your mind (or at least I can't read your mind) and when you say "open up the diff" then it is reasonable to ask you to elaborate on what you are recommending and why.

-B-

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Recon,
The 92 has no viscous coupler like the later trucks, simple spider gear with a dog clutch to engage and disengage. Running in locked with no shaft will not save you jack on fuel mileage but will do no harm either. Without front hub lockouts you are still turning the same amount of gears.
New,
aside from the minor derailment over semantics listen to both of the above posters, at the very least drop out the diff fluid in the front end (get the fill port open first) check for any metallic debris in there. Pull the drive flanges off of the ends and check for any shavings there. point being that someone took the time to unbolt the drive shaft.
There was a reason why they did.
Dave