Got her done eventually. Had to put in a new crush sleeve to get the bearing preload right. I thought I was in a bit too deep when the lead Mech at the local Ford dealer said “oh shit, we don’t do them, we send them to a dif specialist!” Then I remembered that this bunch of clowns ballsed up every minor warranty repair when the ute was new, so I figured it was worth a lash. No major dramas, had to make a few tools to hold the pinion while getting the torque on the pinion nut and to get measure the bearing preload. Other than that, just finding time was the hurdle.
my guess is the vibration from the damaged universal joint had created some wear on the crush sleeve, the edges of the sleeve were razor sharp, and when I torqued down to the factory specs, the bearing preload was way to high. With the new sleeve in, and correct torque, preload was bang on. The backlash between crown gear and pinion was good and the gear teeth looked pretty tidy, there was a wee bit of pitting on the spider gears, but not much considering the life the Ute has had, (nearly half a million very hard km) off road every day, probably 100+ stream crossings per year. Heavy towing etc. if it goes another 100,000 I’ll call it a win. Parts inc oil cost under $200, CD 6-700 for a second hand diff centre, or $1500 for a pro rebuild. Plus I learned some stuff, and got a story to tell. “Hey kids, remember that time your old Dads ute failed a WOF, and he gave a mechanic $1500?” Doesn’t have the same ring does it?
tweake,
Jan 7, 9:14pm
not uncommon for crush sleeves to go weak and once crushed to much they won't work properly. they are basically a disposable item. not unexpected for the high km. thats a good fix.
mechnificent,
Jan 7, 9:42pm
Ok. Good onya then. Glad to hear you looked right into it.
And yeah, most of the stuff they tell you needs a specialist is nothing any competent bugger can't do.
skiff1,
Nov 29, 6:53pm
Never done a dif before, any advice?
skiff1,
Nov 29, 6:54pm
It is black.
bigfatmat1,
Nov 29, 7:02pm
Remove drives shaft from diff and tighten?
intrade,
Nov 29, 8:00pm
the pinion nut will have a preload ultra important to get correct. i think dr john kelly made a video he also made videos about driveshaft balancing and the different waights of a sirclip. overall it most probably will be like this. you got to look thru HE shows all and everything. including what trasheap nissan leaf every micro inch of true how it really is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DQPJpJ7xvU&t=5280s
tweake,
Nov 29, 8:14pm
you need the specs to do it to. usually the manual will have the factory procedure which is not always the best way to do it. also it depends on whats happened. if the bearings are gone or spacer as gone soft a bit. not uncommon for spacers to go loose after a while and need a small tighten up. (assuming crushable).
obviously need tools, especially torque wrench and the old bar type so you can measure torque (break away and rolling).
cattleshed,
Nov 29, 8:31pm
What year? How many k's? Is it an LS diff? Is it 2wd or 4wd? If 4wd which diff? For any kind of useful answer there has to be info to work with. Analysis reqd, to find out IF it is in fact loose ie what makes you believe it is loose? IF it is loose WHY is it loose? Is it because the bearing is destroyed and if so why? Has it run out of oil? Has the pinion nut loosened? Things have to be analysed professionally before you determine a strategy of repair.
upnorth,
Nov 29, 8:59pm
Best to get a second o pinion.
gph1961,
Nov 29, 10:43pm
there will be a backlash
intrade,
Nov 30, 8:35am
as i said if you watch the video i posted whole series probably be 8h view time then you will know how its done. differential are all the same if you dont get backlash right it will bind and all sorts and if it makes noises cause you foobared it its over you never fix that damage you caused. So essentially most easy is another whole diff or whole axle . if you got no clue or no means to do it correctly. I would swap the whole thing and i have a shop that could do it. Alternative remove axle and bring to a shop who can do the whole job correctly. Not one who claims they can do it one who actuarly is in the trade of refurbishing. Like i dropped a steering rack off to be rebuilt by business who do this as main trade. on a hilux inner rack play same as you bring a cvt to places who do only that like cvt.co.nz So someone would or could post a shop doing diffs.
skiff1,
Nov 30, 8:53pm
Ok, 2010 4wd Had a knackered rear universal, and loose pinion bearing at WOF time. 450000km, and hard km too. Plenty of oil No noise, but pinion can be moved back and forth 50-100 thou
I understand the fact I may cock it up, but if that means a replacement rear axle, I’m not any worse off and I may have learned something.
skiff1,
Nov 30, 8:54pm
Cheers in trade, will watch your vijeeo
skiff1,
Nov 30, 9:09pm
i see what you did there, nicely done sir
cattleshed,
Nov 30, 9:13pm
Right. Words are important. Back and forth COULD be considered rotational slack by some. It can mean forward and rearward movement for others. What is it that you mean as you are not clear enough and assumption can bring wrong diagnosis.
franc123,
Nov 30, 9:36pm
How do you mean back and forth? Is this with the driveshaft unbolted and the drive flange gripped with both hands at the quarter to three position and pulled in and out?
tweake,
Nov 30, 9:41pm
sounds like bearing is going. (if back and forth means pulling it toward the engine) i think they use diff heads, which means easy way is to buy a 2nd hand diff head and swap them over.
2nd send it to a diff crowd.
diy takes a bit of gear and know how. its not just backlash. shimming and getting the right pattern is critical, getting the right bearing pre loads etc.
s_nz,
Nov 30, 9:46pm
Do much off roading? - Could take the opportunity to upgrade to a locker?
Not hard to figure out ,4wd >front diff v rear diff ,one is more worn than the other and they are fighting against each other further stressing the rear diff , "back and forth" lol. Say (80% of the time the vehicle is running around in rear wheel drive and the front diff used only 20% in 4x4.The old toy landcruisers did this going down the road especially in high range 4x4 and the whole vehicle would lurch "back and forth" so to speak ie one diff fighting against the other !lol words are important ya know ;-) in typical fashion the rear pinion and and flange uni give out.Remember all things being equal !
strobo,
Dec 1, 9:08am
Your best input yet ever ;-)
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