Currently debating on whether to replace or rebuild the front diff in my 08 LR3.

Purchased this car early this previous spring and so far I’ve done quite a laundry list to it. It came to me with a Johnson ride lift and large, off-road wheels and tires that did not fit, which I’m assuming was an attempt to cover up the multitude of issues it had.

Long story short, Although I’ve replaced many parts on it, I have loved owning this car and was fairly upset to come to the shop today to find a rather sizable puddle of differential oil sitting directly below the front diff. The car has had a slight wine which I had only assumed was coming from the front diff ever since I bought it, but has not been getting really any louder up until the last month.

after some close inspection, I indeed found the culprit of the leak to be the seal where the front driveshaft connects to the front differential, which leads me to my question:

do I replace or rebuild the front differential? While I’m not a mechanic, I am fairly handy. I have never rebuilt differential before and I am a bit apprehensive about taking that on, although I think I would give it a go if I could get the correct instructions to do so. I’ve done almost all the work on the vehicle myself so far and I would like to continue that if I could. Looking for advice from people, more experience than myself who have I’ve done such repairs or replacements. I know kits from Atlantic British just offer replacement of the 4 bearings and 3 seals, while leaving the pinion in place. Don’t think I would attempt to pull that as I don’t have the knowledge to reset backlash.

Do I take the time to rebuild it myself in the scope of kits like Atlantic British? Do I just buy a used one and hope for the best? Or do I pay a shop to do it and cry all the way there?

thanks!!!

 

First, pick up Blue Devil leak stop. This stuff is amazing and helps seal stuff up for a long time. My transfer case was leaking and this stuff helped a ton. Its a temp fix though. Second, consider picking up a spare diff to rebuild. That way the vehicle can still be moved and used if needed. The front diff is actually really easy to rebuild because there is no backlash to set. It used a crush sleeve but this is the hangup. The sleeve is not easy to find although I have not put a ton of time looking. I am sure they are out there. But if you want to fully rebuild it is the part you need.

This is not a perfect rebuild vid, but that is a good thing. It is very DIY and explains it all and shows the issues they had. In this case they reused the sleeve and made really thin shims to take up the rebuild tolerance.

 

Did some more searching, don't quote me but since the front and rear diffs were designed with Dana Spicer, it seems the crush sleeve may be a Dana 30 Crush Sleeve 50576. Just adding this here incase that is correct, I need to do more research.

 

so I was able to track down a company in Texas that actually rebuilds these, and they manufacture their own crush sleeve as they are not readily available. They are sending me all the bearings, seals and the crush sleeve, as well as the specs for pre load and backlash for the front diff. Think I will attempt to rebuild it with all of this, though it will be a first. The car is not my daily so I think maybe I just go right to the rebuild stage as the leak I quote substantial.

I know how to set the preload on the pinion, but I am unsure on the backlash on the ring gear. Am I correct in the thought that if I use the old spacers for the carrier bearings for the ring gear, I should be okay? Or am I totally missing something.

 

That is good to hear. If they decided to sell them, I am sure some would be interested. There is not much to them after all.

I cant answer your other questions as I have not rebuilt one yet. So I have not really gone through the process in great detail, just watched and read stuff.

 

Well I still very much appreciate the help! I’ll continue to ask around, seems to be difficult to get anyone to tell me their experience with rebuilding one, but I’ll get there eventually!

 

I hate rebuilding them. There always seems to some kind of gear noise. Getting the backlash or whatever it’s called right is an art form.

if you have a LOT more time than money, go for it. But as a shop, having to remove and re do work on a diff is a nightmare.

 

I was today days old when I learned LR makes a front diff kit: LR007758

With that said, it is not a complete rebuild kit but a repair kit. It does include the crush sleeve. If it was all of the bearing, races, seals, etc... then it would be a deal at $375/average price.



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Will be following. I bought a refurbished front diff from Winchester Gears (UK) and saved my old one to rebuild as a backup when I have time.