Front Differential Damage

[msb0103]

Last weekend I did a small checkup of my Gladiator and noticed that the rear differential fluid was pretty dark. I only have 3600 miles and I know a lot of the wear happens in those first couple thousand miles. I decided to order the fluid and swap the fluid in both axles.

I opened the drain plug on the front today and found this chip of what appears to be a gear tooth (10mm socket for reference). The fluid in the front didn't look bad but I scheduled a service appointment with the dealer tomorrow. I threw the fluid in and I'm not even going to bother with the rear.

I've never really dealt with warranty work in the past and I was curious if people have gotten much grief in the past from dealers for stuff like this? How much should I be paying out of pocket? Anything I should know before talking with them tomorrow? Thanks in advance!

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[Commodus]

Last weekend I did a small checkup of my Gladiator and noticed that the rear differential fluid was pretty dark. I only have 3600 miles and I know a lot of the wear happens in those first couple thousand miles. I decided to order the fluid and swap the fluid in both axles.

I opened the drain plug on the front today and found this chip of what appears to be a gear tooth (10mm socket for reference). The fluid in the front didn't look bad but I scheduled a service appointment with the dealer tomorrow. I threw the fluid in and I'm not even going to bother with the rear.

I've never really dealt with warranty work in the past and I was curious if people have gotten much grief in the past from dealers for stuff like this? How much should I be paying out of pocket? Anything I should know before talking with them tomorrow? Thanks in advance!

That doesn't look like gear material but possibly differential casting excess. The dealership should do a cover drop and inspection for you at no charge just to be sure no damage to bearings

 

[RedTRex]

Does it stick to a magnet?

 

[msb0103]

Does it stick to a magnet?

Yes it does, it's very hard metal.

It's hard to photograph but it's darker and textured on one side and silver and smooth on the other.

 

[DunnMan]

Only 3600 miles??? Yikes.

 

[msb0103]

Only 3600 miles??? Yikes.

Yeah... I'm wondering how screwed I am since I'm running 35s

 

[Retro Bait]

what I am questioning is how did you find a 10mm socket to use for scale? Mine evaporate after one use.

 

[Renegade]

That doesn’t look like a piece of a gear to me. Broken gears are usually larger chunks. Hopefully it’s a shaving which was left over from machining, and you’re ok.

 

[Phred]

Looks like flashing from the housing cast mold...

 

[Brfertig [HACKED ACCOUNT]]

Just need an inspection. As others have said already, its just leftover casting.

 

[blau iii]

what I am questioning is how did you find a 10mm socket to use for scale? Mine evaporate after one use.

Everytime I go to Harbor Freight, I buy 2 or 3 10mm sockets just for backups. I have 2 BMWs and they use 10mm everywhere! The sockets are like $3 there.

 

[msb0103]

Update:
The dealer checked it out and the gears are good. Everything was covered by the warranty. Thank you for your input everyone, and that 10mm even made it back to my toolbox, for now....

 

[RedTRex]

Good to hear!

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