Disturbing differential fluid

[rockclmbr]

I was following up on scheduled maintenance this evening on the 100. I've got 110k miles on it and the differential fluid was due for a change. This is the second time I've changed it since I owned this vehicle.

After draining the front diff, I went to clean the magnetic plug off and found a piece of metal attached to the end

It looks like a type of steel and is 90% covered in black paint or burned diff fluid. It is approx .5" in diameter and .05" thick with a bump in the middle. It is deformed, but I do not recognize it as anything...

Could this have been inside from the factory? Is it a penny squishing machine?

 

[NMuzj100]

Could this have been inside from the factory?

How else could it get there ?

A pic would be great. The rubber-neckers like me just want to see the carnage but the folks with some inside diff experience might recognize the source.

 

[rockclmbr]

See attached pic of front, back, and side view of this unidentifiable piece of metal in my front diff. Diameter = 0.50"

 

[Zimm]

dude! you found my button! i wondered where i left that.

 

[spressomon]

Looks like a meteor fragment . Sorry to be a smartarse...but that is really wierd !

 

[rockclmbr]

Probably from the Toyota mechanic's shirt, eh?

Should I be concerned about any of the components inside the front diff after finding something this large in there?

 

[spressomon]

Probably from the Toyota mechanic's shirt, eh?

Should I be concerned about any of the components inside the front diff after finding something this large in there?

I think the diff fluid refresh is 15k for dino oil and 30k for syn? So it might be worth the effort to refresh front diff and t-case...

 

[rockclmbr]

The fluids were changed to mobil 1 synthetic in the FR, RR, and Transfer at 75k miles and again at 110k miles. The fluid looked brand new in the rear and semi-dirty in the front. Nothing to be alarmed of.

 

[NMuzj100]

The mystery piece doesn't look like is went through the gears to me. I think it's likely that is has just been lying at the bottom of the case since the build and just worked it's way out. I doubt you have any related damage if you don't hear noise.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Probably from the Toyota mechanic's shirt, eh?

Should I be concerned about any of the components inside the front diff after finding something this large in there?

You mean like how medical instruments get left inside a patient after a surgery? Maybe you'll find an impact socket in there some day!

 

[rockclmbr]

I agree that it doesn't show any marks from meshing with the R&P.

Assuming it was a junior mint that got left behind during assembly, how many of these do you think occurred? And do you think there is any relation to the front diff explosions?

Who has taken their front diff apart? How much work is it and what special tools are required?

Of course if I go in there, I should throw a locker in as well!

 

[Greg B]

This is reaching a bit, but it's possible that someone laid the drain plug on a shop floor or work bench, that piece stuck to the plug, and then they installed the plug without realizing that junior mint was stuck to it. Again, it's reaching, but it could happen.

 

[NMuzj100]

This is reaching a bit, but it's possible that someone laid the drain plug on a shop floor or work bench, that piece stuck to the plug, and then they installed the plug without realizing that junior mint was stuck to it. Again, it's reaching, but it could happen.

Seems as likely as a button off an assemblers shirt. Interesting question regarding the front diff failures but I think that has been explained and given a technical fix.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

You mean like how medical instruments get left inside a patient after a surgery?

You watched Chicago Hope too?

 

[ZJ2UZJ100]

Looks like slag or a large drop of molten steel from welding or casting process that cooled off in your diff.

Doesn't look like it took any trips through the gears. Go play the lottery. You should feel lucky.

 

[rockclmbr]

You watched Chicago Hope too?

Nope, but I've spent a lot of time in the OR. Enough to see how easy it is to leave something behind.

ZJ2UZJ100, I agree with the molten welding slag. Must have occurred when they welded my front axles together!