Need Help Broken Front Diff?

[bwbski26]

I got stuck while trying to get out, heard some gears slipping from what sounded like the front dif. now it still drove. got back on the pavement and now it sounds like a large thump every 10-15 feet. Made this noise even while being towed behind another car. does anyone have any idea of what could have broken?

thanks
Brad

 

[Augie]

Pretty common for 2 pinion pre 2000 model.
If the housing are still good its better to replace it with ARB.
If not you need to buy whole 3rd member which cost around $900-1100
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=71062&highlight=front+diff

 

[100 TD]

Besides the broken bits, can you tell us how/what happened, were you reversing or going forwards, where you doing lots of wheel spinning etc, when did you hear the gear crunching etc?

 

[bwbski26]

I was in reverse the first time it made noise. the wheels were straining then began to spin.

 

[spressomon]

This happened on your '03 correct? '00 up are supposed to be the stronger "2-pinion" design; Jack the front up, remove the front drive shaft and spin/feel/listen for the culprit. Or if it is still under warranty take it to the dealer and let them figure it out.

 

[bwbski26]

yes it did happen to my 03, i have an extended warrenty which goes till 100000 miles.

 

[100 TD]

REVERSE........I have heard of quite a few in this scenario, it doesn't matter if it is a 2 or 4 pinion planetry, reverse pressure spreads the R & P and it's all over. My .02

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

REVERSE........I have heard of quite a few in this scenario, it doesn't matter if it is a 2 or 4 pinion planetry, reverse pressure spreads the R & P and it's all over. My .02

Correct. Even 80's break front diffs when in reverse. You learn quickly to never pull out another vehicle in reverse.

 

[stewbo]

Thats the way my 99 sounded after i broke the front diff. It happened more when I would turn the wheel to oneside.

 

[calamaridog]

Wash the mud off then take it to the dealer for repair.

 

[bwbski26]

its at the dealer, they just told me the front differential is totally shot, need complete differential including the housing. toyota is sending a warrenty rep out to verify it. anything else i should know or do?

 

[bwbski26]

has anyone delt with a warantey rep before? anything i should do or say?

 

[spressomon]

its at the dealer, they just told me the front differential is totally shot, need complete differential including the housing. toyota is sending a warrenty rep out to verify it. anything else i should know or do?

If you are going to wheel it like you did when it broke you should have a diff shop install the ARB front locker which replaces the pinion assembly inside these diffs. Even if you do not add the compressor to make it locker functional according to others smarter than me you end up with the strongest diff possible for a 100 series.