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diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 3:27 pm
by jonfromhamilton
I took my car for a drive with my mechanic friend in the passenger seat today, accelerated, idled, and engine braked.
The sound is that of twice the normal road sound with mud terrain tyres on and he said it wouldn't be the gears after I showed him a sample of the diff oil I took lastnight which he said had dirt in it and was a thick chocolatey color.
He said the gears shouldnt be the problem but the bearings were a problem.

So... I am looking for suggestions as in the short term I may or may not, depending how detrimental it would be, go on Matt's dodgy snow trip tomorrow and in the long term, I need this problem fixed in order to reliably attent the annual snow trip up Mt Skene which I am willing to abuse the living hell out of my credit-card to wholey attend at the end of the month.

options I have considered in my n00b brain include buying an arb locker and basically rebuilding the rear diff with new bearings and seals.
I could just put new bearings in and replace the seals and oil etc.
or I could perhaps just cross my fingers.

I would appreciate any and all advice :) thanks!

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 7:17 pm
by christover1
With new diff oil and an additive it could possibly last for ages.
It is always a gamble, though.
Chocolate diff oil usually means water and or mud got into diff

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 7:27 pm
by jonfromhamilton
it would still be good to be able to make the trip tomorrow with Matt, what additive would you reccomend chris ?

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 7:29 pm
by christover1
jonfromhamilton wrote:it would still be good to be able to make the trip tomorrow with Matt, what additive would you reccomend chris ?
nulon make a good one, but there are many.
for short term fix don't really matter

I'll help you get home if it shits itself

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 7:31 pm
by jonfromhamilton
i could probably still get to super cheap auto before it shuts tonight, what type of additive is it ?

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 7:32 pm
by christover1
A decent gear oil change may be enough just for the trip

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 7:34 pm
by christover1
jonfromhamilton wrote:i could probably still get to super cheap auto before it shuts tonight, what type of additive is it ?
Supercheap should know, just ask for diff oil and a good additive, or some diff oils like nulon have additives already in them

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 8:55 pm
by Matthew
Do you have total care yet?

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 9:07 pm
by jonfromhamilton
I actually have not got that total care thing :D
got no money you see.
common symptom of sierra builders I hear

Re: diff bearingsals

Posted: Sat 04 Aug, 2012 9:13 pm
by mika
get someone with total care to come along as a passenger ;)