cond. of frt diff. fluid after 7,000 miles? (1 Viewer)

[97cruiser]

Well I decided to check the condition of my front diff. fluid at the 7,000 mark since my 1st birf job and was surprised to see it was not the amsoil green color that I originally put in there. It came out lookin more charcoal grey and towards the end of draining the consistency seemed a lil more lumpy but when I put my finger in it, it seemed smooth just alot of bubbles I presume because I had just drove it 10 miles?

I refilled with Valvoline dino and will check again in a week or so. My question is, should the color have still been green after 7,000 miles? I also checked the condition of the grease in knuckle and while still pretty much the amsoil purple color I put in though it was smoother,I presume from being whipped around ? I checked through the lil fill hole on top.

Thnx, Vince

 

[concretejungle]

vince, that's not a real good sign. IF it had bubbles it usually means some moisture is getting in. Also, if it's grey, that's a sign that some knuckle grease is getting mixed in.

 

[97cruiser]

concrete, Thnx, any idea how moisture could be gettin in? It has not been submerged and I live in a very dry enviroment. I suspected the grease contamination.

Thnx, Vince

 

[97cruiser]

Yep, got breathers terminated up by battery with filter

 

[concretejungle]

Vince, my front diff was doing the same thing when i first got it. I extended the breathers and it still had bubbles. Finally took the front chunk apart to find out that my front pinion seal was leaking. When i took the member out the seal was in terrible shape.

 

[97cruiser]

What is the "front chunk"? Im guessing the chunk that connects the axle housing and the driveshaft? I'll look in fsm.

Thnx, Vince

 

[concretejungle]

Sorry about that Vince, yes the chunk is a slang term i've been exposed to that just means the front diff gears. Usually it's a term used for the rear third-member. THe seal i'm talking about the the front pinion seal. The round seal from where the pinion is matted to the front diff housing. If i had a pic around i would point to it.