Normal to have metal shavings in rear diff fluid?

So i changed my rear diff fluid the first time after getting a new third member and there was metal shavings in the fluid? Is this normal? Or am i getting ready to blow this rear end also

 

I can always count on you chris 4x4 So should i do another change soon? or run it like normal? I used amsoil 75-90 severe gear!

 

How big are the shavings?

 

I thought metal was bad. Metal shavngs=grinding gears

 

Is it just silver goo on the drain plug magnet? If so that's normal. If there are chunks.. thats not good.

 

+1
Chris is right about this. I had the same worry when I changed mine, but Chris resolved my fear.

 

Ya that is true but these shavings are collected on the magnetic drain plug so they arent in harms way

 

they were shavings in the actual oil! And i cleaned off the magnet also! They were just small shavings in the oil.

 

gotch ya!

 

Sorry to revive such an old thread.

I’m having an issue with my rear differential. The bearings were totally shot when I got the truck so I pulled the third member and send it off to have the bearings replaced. I got it back, put it in the truck, and it runs great! The only local automotive store that was still open by the time I finished up installing it only had some cheap gear oil in stock. So I bought it with the intentions of putting some better oil in after a couple of days. When I drained the oil there was a TON of metal in the oil. So i filled it up, drove it a couple of days, and drained the oil again. This is what it looks like now. This is the second “flush.” Is this normal? I’m getting nervous something is grinding in there.

The oil battle on the driver side did not want to seat properly. Is it possible it’s grinding on the left axle shaft? There are no noises or anything.