Just had front diff rebuilt. After a 108 mi. pinion is shot. People responsible for rebuild say its not there fault. (different issue that I will deal with). Purchased a used diff. but want to make sure that there is no problems with the transfer case causing this. I live in western Michigan (a no-mans land for L/C's). Could really use some help from some one with knowledge. Not interested in corresponding in forum. dwestmi@yahoo.com
Front diff issues.
- Thread starter dan West
- Start date
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I think you are kind of missing the point of a 'forum'. It's an exchange of knowledge and community, not a 'request direct free consulting here' kind of place. Maybe you'll get someone to bite.
I will bite....
I have dispatched an ASME Toyota Technician to your location to disassemble and determine root-cause of this failure then complete the repair. He will have the correct parts on his truck so there is no downtime with this vehicle.
Thanks for choosing Toyota, and have a nice day.
**I would not put your email on a public forum, and then request privacy.
Might help someone else to learn about, prevent, or diagnosis a future problem if you share your experience.
Assuming the pinion gear has been inspected by the shop after the failure, what reason did they give for the damage? How can they know if it's their fault without seeing it?
What do you mean by "shot"? Are the pinion teeth or the shaft damaged (or both)?
You didn't mention the ring gear. What is the condition of the ring gear?
Driving too far and/or too fast will over heat the gears, but both the ring and pinion would show the same heat damage. Did the shop explain the break-in proceedure? The break-in is a PITA, but if not followed with damage the gears.
Be sure to keep the old gears....they make cool wall art
Assuming the pinion gear has been inspected by the shop after the failure, what reason did they give for the damage? How can they know if it's their fault without seeing it?
What do you mean by "shot"? Are the pinion teeth or the shaft damaged (or both)?
You didn't mention the ring gear. What is the condition of the ring gear?
Driving too far and/or too fast will over heat the gears, but both the ring and pinion would show the same heat damage. Did the shop explain the break-in proceedure? The break-in is a PITA, but if not followed with damage the gears.
Be sure to keep the old gears....they make cool wall art
Locate a competent Diff man who can determine what your problem Is By looking at It. I believe that may be a challenge In Itself.
Dan, can you post up more details on the forum:
What is the model/year of Landcruiser?
Total miles on truck?
Stock suspension or lifted?
What were the original symptoms (why did you have the diff rebuilt)?
What are the symptoms now (noise on accel, decel, coast, leaks, vibrations)?
What was actually done to "rebuild" the diff?
What was done to the front axle (CV joints, new axle seals, ---)?
Who rebuilt the diff/front axle?
What did they charge you and what parts were replaced?
What is the model/year of Landcruiser?
Total miles on truck?
Stock suspension or lifted?
What were the original symptoms (why did you have the diff rebuilt)?
What are the symptoms now (noise on accel, decel, coast, leaks, vibrations)?
What was actually done to "rebuild" the diff?
What was done to the front axle (CV joints, new axle seals, ---)?
Who rebuilt the diff/front axle?
What did they charge you and what parts were replaced?
- Thread starter
- #7
Might help someone else to learn about, prevent, or diagnosis a future problem if you share your experience.
Assuming the pinion gear has been inspected by the shop after the failure, what reason did they give for the damage? How can they know if it's their fault without seeing it?
What do you mean by "shot"? Are the pinion teeth or the shaft damaged (or both)?
You didn't mention the ring gear. What is the condition of the ring gear?
Driving too far and/or too fast will over heat the gears, but both the ring and pinion would show the same heat damage. Did the shop explain the break-in proceedure? The break-in is a PITA, but if not followed with damage the gears.
Be sure to keep the old gears....they make cool wall art
Here's the details:
96 L/C 80 with e-lockers 210 K
purchased in January and drove about 1800 miles
when turning clicking and popping purchased new birfs and gasket and bearing too.
front end locked up 1 day before knuckle rebuild.
upon inspection found front dif ring and pinion badly damaged.
mechanic assured me he could rebuild it
cruiser outfitters sold me rebuild kit and a used ring and pinion (great shape)
drove it 108 miles, with in 1 mile metal on metal sound, grinding and bucking in front axle
tow to another shop pulled dif and was told ring and pinion shredded.
Obviously the first shop screwed something up. A used ring and pinion will not self destruct if set up properly. Many of the forum members have very high miles on their original ring and pinion gears.
Why did you not take the vehicle back to the first shop (at least to show them the damage), and what excuse are they using to not cover their work??
Why did you not take the vehicle back to the first shop (at least to show them the damage), and what excuse are they using to not cover their work??
- Thread starter
- #9
- Thread starter
- #10
1st guy was way in over his head. Had problems rebuilding. I had to provide him with field service manual. He is not a bad guy and not a bad wrench. but he delayed job and then tried to throw it together. had lots of trouble. I had to call cruiser oufitters and have them help him.
there is so much more to this story. very frustrated . 1st guy say he did nothing wrong, big mess I will more than likely have legal action.
there is so much more to this story. very frustrated . 1st guy say he did nothing wrong, big mess I will more than likely have legal action.
If you want your differential done right, ship it off to ZUK:
Toyota Gear Installs
Or:
About Us - JT's Parts & Accessories
Toyota Gear Installs
Or:
About Us - JT's Parts & Accessories
I think to answer the original question, I can't see how anything in the transfer case could cause an issue. If the driveshaft was way out of balance or the slip joint was binding up and putting extra pressure on the input shaft of the diff, but it would have to damage the bearings first. Sounds like they didn't setup the gear mesh correctly. Zuk did my front diff and he details the whole thing for you with photos and notes. Very professional job and quick turn around. Have not had any problems.
Big thumbs up for ZUK here as well. Had a very reputable local shop do my son's re-gear on his locked F&R diffs only to have the front self destruct 3hrs from home at an off-roading event. We removed the front drive shaft and locked the CDL and drove home. Sent to ZUK for rebuild and found the carrier came loose and ate everything. I was warned that the 80's diffs were a bit persnickety but didn't see the value in shipping off when I had great experience with the local shop on other atypical 3rds. Send to ZUK! Here's a link of what he did for us.
Toyota gear install
Toyota gear install
You beat me to it. The front diff on these trucks is kinda tricky, as where the rear is cake IMO. Just ship it to ZUK, quick turnaround, experience second to none.