Cleaning front differential

[TEXASYETI]

I screwed up and did this ass backwards but it is what it is at this point.

Redid the knuckles on my new to me, stored for 10 years 60. Should have checked the differential fluid first cause when I went to change the fluid, what came out was not good!

Really dark with some sizable chucks of muck. The muck was the consistency of knuckle grease. NO METAL CAME OUT THOUGH . I leaned the truck to get the drain to the lowest point and have put several can of brake cleaner in there, let it sit with the plug in, and then drain.

Any other thoughts on making sure I get ALL the gunk out?

Should have done this prior to doing the knuckles! :whoops:

 

[FJ60Seth]

I don't think it's a big deal. Try to get all the brake clean out, fill it with 90w, run it in 4WD a little, then drain and refill.

 

[Mark W]

No big deal. Put new gear lube in and go. Check it after a week or so of driving and see how it looks. Drain and replace IF it does not look clean.

Mark...

 

[TEXASYETI]

Thanks, fellas.

I'm new to cruisers - well, four wheel drives - so the opinions are appreciated!

 

[orangefj45]

better yet, run some ATF thru it. that stuff has a bunch of detergents in it that will help break loose any of the gunk in there. but it's not aggressive enough to hurt the bearings, gears or seals. dive it around for a while, put it in 4wd at times and then drain it really well. ATF will do a much better job than plain gear oil.

georg

 

[orangefj45]

ps: whenever i perform a knuckle rebuild, the first thing i do is drain the diff oil........

georg

 

[rusty_tlc]

Black is a good sign. I'd be worried if the stuff that came out looked like chocolate pudding, chocolate pudding means there was water in the diff.