Front Differential

Looks like I've got a problem with the front differential. There is a lot of slop in the drivetrain (almost a quarter turn back and forth) and my mechanic says that is way out of tolerance. He is recommending that we replace the front (and maybe the back) differentials. There is a distinct "clunk" when I put the vehicle into gear.

Does that sound like to much slop? If so, how much is one of those differentials going to set me back? I was almost finished with the mechanical restoration and getting ready for paint... now I may be set way back.

Thanks for any insights you can offer!

Check you driveshaft's for slop in the splines and the u joints 1st.
Take them off and turn the yoke where the driveshafts bolt to, And see how much slop is there. If there is alot of slop at the yoke, pull the cover and see if something is wrong. Mabey its something easy like the ring gear bolts are loose. Or the yoke bolt is loose.
Without taking things apart and checking them, how can the mechanic say "you need new diferentials". If this is beyond your skills then get a second opinion.

Thanks for the quick response. My mechanic had the diff inspection plate off and was watching the gears as he rotated the driveshaft. He pointed to the back and forth play of the gears in the diff as being the issue that caused him to call for a replacement. I'll ask him to inspect the yoke bolt, ring gear bolts too. Anything else he should check?

If the ring and pinion are truely the reason for the slop, And there is no broken or chiped teeth, I have reset-up the gears with good results. They might wine a little, but have not broken.

slop and clunk is normal in these things. dont let him sell you something you dont need. now if you had a half turn or something then ya maybe but not what you describe. mine does the same thing and has been doing it for as long as I've had it and I've put 10k miles on it so far.

OLDCHEV4X4 said:

If the ring and pinion are truely the reason for the slop, And there is no broken or chiped teeth, I have reset-up the gears with good results. They might wine a little, but have not broken.

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According to my mechanic the ring and pinion look okay - its the planetary that appears to be the issue.

You can buy a spider gear kit.
But if the hole for the pin, in the carrier, is ovaled out, the spider gear kit wouln't do you any good.

Scott at sax drive train can set you up with parts or rebuild. http://www.sax-express.com/ He's a really nice guy. He'll talk you through trouble shooting the whole bit.

Thanks to all here - I called Scott and he and I will figure out the best way to attack the issue!

Let me know how it goes. He always helps me out. Really nice guy.

Jawaller nailed it! When you rotate the drive line, your winding up all the slack to the front wheels/ splines/ball joints and all.

Stick you finger in the lube oil, and look at it under a light - any sparklies in it? Then just drive it.

Lee in Alaska

rosco said:

Stick you finger in the lube oil, and look at it under a light - any sparklies in it? Then just drive it.

Lee in Alaska

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Oh yeah, plenty of sparklies - like a 1970's disco! So I guess that's a bad thing??