One bearing came out of diff at fluid change?!?! (1 Viewer)

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Well in completing most of my preventative maintenance... I changed the diff fluid today.

So after changing my fluid to 80W - 90 and cleaning up my drain pan, I found one, that's right, just one bearing. Not sure which diff it came out of as I did the transfer case, front then rear diffs all back to back.

The front was greenish black with alot of debris on the magnetic plug including a small disk (1mm across) with a slight conical shape.

The front bearings were repacked by my local Goodyear Gemini service center when I had the BFG MT's rotated & balance when I first got it (7 months/6,000 miles ago). They said the bearings were in good shape so they just re-packed them with new grease & buttoned it all back up.

Is is possible that it was an old bearing that was in the bottom of the housing and it just came out due to me flushing the diffs with a qt. of 80W-90 prior to the change. Not sure if anyone has had a similar occurance.


BTW - The rear fluid was a medium brown color. A good sign as the PO did not include any records of diff fluid changes.

 

[Fly Rod]

That sucks! The wheel bearings are roller bearings and I don't see any way they could migrate to the diff. I don't know the internals of the diffs and transfer cases to provide a lead on the source of your mystery bearing.

Good luck!

 

[powderpig]

Well the type of bearing would help. Is it a tapered roller style or a roller type or something in between?
Everything in the diff is tapered roller type.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'm wondering if it's truly a bearing, or a chunk of machining debris from the front diffy - which is normal. On my first front diff change I had a half dozen machining bits - some that looked like a child's fingernail in shape and size.

So, before jumping to conclusions it would be good to clean up the item and take a good look at it under a bright light. Perhaps a quality picture posted here as well.

DougM

 

[RedTacoma]

Well in completing most of my preventative maintenance... I changed the diff fluid today.

So after changing my fluid to 80W - 90 and cleaning up my drain pan, I found one, that's right, just one bearing. Not sure which diff it came out of as I did the transfer case, front then rear diffs all back to back.

The front was greenish black with alot of debris on the magnetic plug including a small disk (1mm across) with a slight conical shape.

The front bearings were repacked by my local Goodyear Gemini service center when I had the BFG MT's rotated & balance when I first got it (7 months/6,000 miles ago). They said the bearings were in good shape so they just re-packed them with new grease & buttoned it all back up.

Is is possible that it was an old bearing that was in the bottom of the housing and it just came out due to me flushing the diffs with a qt. of 80W-90 prior to the change. Not sure if anyone has had a similar occurance.


BTW - The rear fluid was a medium brown color. A good sign as the PO did not include any records of diff fluid changes.

Pic would help but I can tell you that there is no way this is a wheel bearing unless, PO had hand thrown one in the differential. Depending on the size it could be from different places. Biggest bearings are carrier bearings... Either way you should check. I know that sucks but it is something you need to do.
Color of diff oil does not necessary mean that oil was not changed. LC does not have LSD in the rear so nothing to burn oil unless something is horribly wrong and it is overheating like crazy. More likely you are sucking the grease/dirt from one of the hubs. If you want to check it driver side is your best bet to start. Longer axle flexes more so seal on that side would be first to go. Post some pics...

 

[IdahoDoug]

There are some normal bits that look like a half a needle bearing with a slight taper that will come out on the first front diff change. They'll usually be on the magnet. Is that it??

DougM

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I did find the bits of debris on the front diff plug magnet that you are all speaking of but I'm guessing that the bearing is non-ferrous since the mag plugs didn't catch it. I will post a pic of it today.

 

[Hayes]

"small disk (1mm across) with a slight conical shape"

Is this the bearing you're referring to?
Sounds like typical metal shavings that show up over time. I don't think there is any physical way you could get a bearing roller to just come out of a bearing and show up in a fluid change--and your description doesn't match anything I've seen or aware of in the front end bearings.

Definitely need a photo.

 

[scottm]

Non-ferrous? Not a roller bearing piece then.

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

This thread is useless without pics. Digital cameras are getting cheap nowadays

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I stand corrected, I assumed it was non-ferrous due to the mag drain plug and or plugs not picking it up. I was wrong. I placed a small magnet next to it and sure enough, it went right to it.

I measured it and it is 5/32" in diameter. I snapped a photo with my phone but it did not turn out to well. As far as being a roller, needle or any other type of bearing? I'm not sure. It is completely spherical with no signs of wear or nicks.

I checked my tools thinking it may have came from a rachet or extension but all the bearings there are accounted for and I havenot done any recent bearing work of any kind so contamination from my tool box is unlikely.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I also just drove about 10 miles at 55 mph. Stopped and touch all the hubs and none of them were hot. In fact they were surprisingly cool. I guess that 80W-90 is doing its job.

Pardon my ignorance on this matter but is it possible that this bearing came off a drive rachet or extension that may have been previously used in the diff or transfer case? It looks to be to small to come off a half inch drive. Would a small sized wrench be necessary for rebuiling the diffs?

 

[landtank]

from the tip of a diff lock switch

 

[RedTacoma]

from the tip of a diff lock switch

x2 sure looks like it. mystery solved

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

That explains why my front diff lock was extremely stubborn to engage recently. Is there anything else I should be aware of before I rebuild my front axle! I.E. can I drive it the meantime just without engaging the diff locks? Or is it benched untill I can repair?

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Thanks Landtank! I owe you a beer.

 

[RedTacoma]

That explains why my front diff lock was extremely stubborn to engage recently. Is there anything else I should be aware of before I rebuild my front axle! I.E. can I drive it the meantime just without engaging the diff locks? Or is it benched untill I can repair?

FYI
This is actually very easy to repair. I think replacement switch is around $15 and should be available at Toyota dealer.
Takes maybe 10 -20 minutes to replace it, depending how stubborn old switch is. When you look on main locker cable coming down the frame cable splits smaller plug is going to the switch. Just remove it to confirm it. There should be spring in it too so once you remove it you will know what else is floating in the diff I will take pic of my broken one but you will see the internal part. If you missing only ball then you should be able to drive with it.

 

[e9999]

doesn't "bearing" usually refer to the entire supporting part, which would include many bearing "rollers" or "balls" for those types?

If so, what you have there is one "ball" not a "bearing".

 

[RedTacoma]

Here is my old switch. Two connectors you see on the back should be under the plastic which broke off.
Part number is from my new switch.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Thanks for the info RedTacoma & the pics. E9999 I believe that you are correct. Bearing was the first thing that came to mind. I never would have thought that a small 5/32" ball was part of a switch.