Heavy metal (differential oil change)

Changed the differential oil front and rear as well as the transfer case.
Oil in the transfer case and rear looked really clean. For some reason the oil from the front differential was a lot darker. What really concerned me was the metal stuck to the magnet from the rear diff. There was actually three of the cone shaped chunks but one was lost in the oil and I didn't feel like fishing it out. Fairly significant pieces. Dime for size comparison.

 

I have seen something very similar in a previous thread. maybe someone remembers.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-differential-fluid-change.331885/

 

Thanks, still don't know where they came from but others have had the same.

 

I was lucky on my rear diff. I changed the oil a few days ago and it only had enough dust sized particles to cover the head of a Qtip. My transfer case was clean.

 

Mine had the same thing the first time I changed the diff fluid too. It is metal left over from machining the diff housing. Totally normal.

 

Exactly this. Not really what anyone wants to find, but yes, they are cuttings from machining the housing, and in no way a sign of failure. No big deal.

 

I did my transmission at 20k and axles and t case at 30k.

The t case oil could've passed for new. The oil in the other three was gross with the rear being the worst. I saw metal on the plug, wasn't worried about it as the magnet is there to catch it.