20-02-2021, 01:00 PM
That does sound like one of the diff bearings has collapsed, I'm surprised it even holds oil and manages to drive still! Testament to these tough little 'boxes.
The diff bearings will be taper roller type and inner race will be pressed onto the diff assembly (you could take it to a machine shop when out, outer race sandwiches into the housing where it splits. If you go in that far, take note of the location of any shims.
I would be concerned about any other wear/damage that may have occurred to the ring gear/output gear and the diff housing considering how bad it is, but I think I'd personally pull the diff off the back of the box & inspect all that and then if it looks usable, order up the bearings and seals you'll need.
Be wary about splitting the actual gearbox case by the way, that's a lot more complex than just dropping the diff off the back & very fiddly to get back together as I found out, so if the rest of it is working OK I'd be tempted to leave that side intact despite the metal shavings and just repair the diff.
The diff bearings will be taper roller type and inner race will be pressed onto the diff assembly (you could take it to a machine shop when out, outer race sandwiches into the housing where it splits. If you go in that far, take note of the location of any shims.
I would be concerned about any other wear/damage that may have occurred to the ring gear/output gear and the diff housing considering how bad it is, but I think I'd personally pull the diff off the back of the box & inspect all that and then if it looks usable, order up the bearings and seals you'll need.
Be wary about splitting the actual gearbox case by the way, that's a lot more complex than just dropping the diff off the back & very fiddly to get back together as I found out, so if the rest of it is working OK I'd be tempted to leave that side intact despite the metal shavings and just repair the diff.