Does the front axle spin in H2?
Submitted: Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 18:22
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Joshuah
Hi,
I just changed the front diff oil, and it was green. Bugger! I assume it's grease from the inner CVs. I also noted that the oil 'glugged' out of the drain, indicating the breather was blocked, likely causing the contamination. As guessed it was gunked up with dirt and oil.
My question is pretty simple: Does the front diff gearing within the diff-center spin when the HiLux ('98 4wd diesel, btw) is driven in 2H? I want to get the oil seals replaced and CVs repacked, but if I can buy time and save some $ first, I will.
Obviously in H4 or L4 the diff oil will be
well and truly sloshing around, but in H2 without hubs locked, I'm inclined to think not. Anyone?
Thanks.
Joshua.
Reply By: Jim-Bob - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 18:29
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 18:29
G'day Joshuah,
Your right, with freewheeling hubs unlocked the diff does not spin.
Safe travells Jim Bob
AnswerID:
459096
Follow Up By: Joshuah - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:09
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:09
Thanks Jim Bob.
I only need to use L4 for about 50m in the next 3500km, so I hope it can last a month without removing any more cv grease. With a little luck, the now breathing breather will reduce short-term diff oil contamination also.
Joshua.
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732657
Reply By: Bushranger1 - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:44
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:44
G'day Josh,
Are you sure you have not got water contamination in the oil?
If you have been doing deep water crossings & suspect this is the case then I would drain the diff oil & replace it. If you don't corrosion will still do damage even though the diff is not engaged. I got water in my 99 Hilux diff & it was a similar color & consistency as your description.
Cheers
Stu
AnswerID:
459102
Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:49
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:49
Sorry I just re-read you post & realised you have changed the oil already.
Probably be a good idea to drive around with the hubs engaged (still in 2wd) to let the new oil wash out any remaining contamination & chage it again after a few days.
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732659
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:56
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 19:56
Hi Joshua. I doubt that your diff oil would be contaminated from CV joint grease. If the seals were leaking it would be more likely the diff oil would travel out into that area due to the oil viscosity. It is possible that the oil put in the diff previously may have had that color dye in it for what ever reason. I have seen blue color in the past so it my be possible for green as
well. Cheers,Bob.
AnswerID:
459103
Follow Up By: Joshuah - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 20:18
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 20:18
G'day Toyocrusa.
I just had a look through my records and I last changed the front diff oil about 12,000 km previous. I don't recall it being green back then. After some reading, I found similar instances on some sites that when the 'blue' grease from the inner CV mixes with the yellowish gear oil, a green results. My rear diff oil is not green; But yes, I agree that I should see some evidence around the CV boots if it is grease, which I can not. Hmmm.
For what it's worth, I hope it's not grease, but it's certainly not water (been there, had that) and I really hope it's not my diff disintegrating! Living in NE NT, it does get a really good work-out.
I'll try what Bushranger suggested and change it in a few days after mixing it in a bit. If it's noticeably green, I'll take it in to be fixed. Again, I hope the breather will do its job now. Thanks guys. More to think about...
Joshua
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Reply By: gbc - Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 22:09
Sunday, Jul 03, 2011 at 22:09
Hubs unlocked in H2 - the diff/axles can't turn.
AnswerID:
459112
Follow Up By: Mark&Sue - Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 07:27
Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 07:27
If you have an independant front end Hilux there is no way the grease can get out the cv joint and into the diff centre , it is physically impossible. If it is a live axle[ you wouldnt have cv boots} then it is possible.
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Follow Up By: Joshuah - Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 08:09
Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 08:09
G'day Mark&Sue.
Okay, that's good to know. But here's my reasoning, albeit potentially flawed! It is independent
suspension. As you likely know, my diff has two shafts which drive the front wheels. At the diff end of these, 2 boots cover this union, similar to the outer CV boots - I assumed the grease within the inner boots somehow got into the diff. If this is not possible, might it be grease from the transfer case propeller shaft grease points? I do them every few thousand ks.
I can't think of any other reason why it would be green? It still smells like gear oil and feels like it too...
Thanks for the input.
Joshua.
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Follow Up By: Joshuah - Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 12:23
Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 12:23
A folluw-up. I went to the mechanic and he agreed that it is not likely to be grease. As above, he also alluded to a dye being used. So he suggested to wait and see how it goes. Great to have all the input from the learned people on this
forum! My concern was likely all for nothing!
Joshua.
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Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 13:30
Monday, Jul 04, 2011 at 13:30
hi joshuah
first of all as mentioned above there is no way the cv grease can get into the diff and
secondly castrol diff oil is green in colour when new and its a very commonly used reliable diff oil brand and most likely what is in your diff
thirdly if the cv grease ever did mix with the diff oil the oil would be black or at least dark
grey from my experiences from rebuilding cv joints over many years
it appears to me that your lack of diff knowledge is causing you to worry about something thats not happening but you have done the right thing by asking instead of throwing caution to the wind
cheers and enjoy your travels
barry
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