Is this too much metal shavings rear diff plug?

[Muddy Bean]

After changing fluids in diff and tcase, rear diff plug looked like this:









None of those spikes were actual metal pieces but rather mushed in my fingers when I touched them. But there was a fair amount of metallic mud on there. Should I be concerned?

 

[TXLX100]

I wouldn't be concerned. What does it normally look like when you change it? From what I've seen, the first change of rear diff fluid on vehicles looks like probably three times as much matter. It seems to not be as bad on subsequent changes.

 

[natvet]

What year? How long has it been since change. When I changed mine I has slightly less and mine was just sludge no large metal pieces. I bet yours is normal

 

[TXLX100]

I think the technical term that is the cause of the shavings is "gear slack." Inevitably, the diff gears are not perfectly symmetrical all the way around and have increased friction/grinding in the areas that don't line up perfectly. I guess that's why they put fluid and a magnet in there.

 

[Muddy Bean]

I just bought the truck and I'm changing the fluids for the first time. Truck has 110,000 miles on it. 1998. I'm the second owner. According to the Toyota dealer in florida who did all the maintenance, he said the previous owner (older woman who died) always brought it in for maintenance and oil changes/tire rotations but never had the recommended diff service. The fluid in both diffs and tcase was a slightly transparent greenish brown. I could shine a light up to the fluid and see light through the stream. All three drained out the recommended quarts of fluid so I know they were full. Just didn't know what to think about the metal mush spikes. I guess if the diff blows, it blows. Then time for a re-gear. I used royal purple in the tcase and Mobil 1 synthetic in the diffs. All fluids 75-90 weight.

 

[SHUSH]

Just did my 99 with 200k and the plugs looked identical. I think that is "normal" for one that hasn't been changed often.

if it's like that when you do it again at 50-80k then I would start asking questions.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Great! Thanks for the assurance guys. I feel better knowing it's all changed out now.