Large curved washer found loose in Rear Differencial

[Mr. Bone]

Changed my dif. fluid the other day and found 2 strange objects inside the housing. One was loosely adhered to the bottom and seems like a magnet. The other is a large ( approx. 1.5 inches dia) floating around freely. I know this is not good.

Does anyone know what it might be? If it came off so easily, is it easy to put back on or do i need a tranny mechanic?

I've got a 14 bolt 4/10 ratio type dif. . . have to take the whole rear cover off to change the fluid.

Thanks for your time.

[john8662]

Sounds like a shim, possibly fell out during rear differential carrier change etc.

Picture?

J

[Robyn]

If the strange washer is slightly dished with a hole in it then if came from between one of the spider gears and the diif case.
Its hard and is used as a wear surface and shim to set the gears.
Most likely it fell out when someone was doing some work in there and they missed it.
You are lucky it did not go through the gear set.

Look at the spider gears and find the one thats loose and slops around.

Hope this helps

Robyn

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

"One was loosely adhered to the bottom and seems like a magnet." It is, & it belongs there.

Blessings!

[Mr. Bone]

Yes, one of the spider gears is loose.

So, is putting one back a job for a specialist(someone with fancy tools) or can i do it?

Thank you.

[Robyn]

Its not hard de[ending on the rear axle it has in the truck.

Is this a 1 ton van?

The large shaft that the spider gears turn on must be removed slightly and then the washer can be slid back between the case and the gear.

Let me know which axle the truck has in it and I can look at the service info and determine the exact procedure to do this little job.

Count the number of bolts holding the rear cover on the diff and let us know and we can go from there.

Robyn

[Mr. Bone]

hello,

It's a 14 bolt with a 4:10 ratio. . . i hope that's what you meant. Yes, it's a 1ton van.

Thanks again.

[Robyn]

There should be a retaining pin/bolt that holds the large pin that goes through the spider gears.

You can remove the large pin and reinstall that washer between the case and the gear thats loose then reinstall the pin and its retainer.
make real good and sure that there is not any other goodies laying down in the bottom of the diff housing.

If something goes through the gear set its game over.

Good luck

Robyn

[Mr. Bone]

thank you very much for the advice and suggestions. I appreciate your continued help over the past several months. Ross