Read my Ring/Pinion wear

Hey Everyone,

I purchased a 3rd member from an unamed company and it whines like crazy(way more than i think is normal). I took the diff out after a road trip (roughly 2k miles) and this is the wear pattern. Can someone with more seasoned eyes at this tell me what they think? From my entirely untrained eyes and looking at some images, to me the pattern indicates the pinion is to deep, but i would like some confirmation.

 

i would really recommend getting some of the gear marking compound

$10 JEGS Gear Marking Compound | 1/2 Ounce Size | Includes Application Brush | Made In USA | Confirms Gear Wear Pattern Insuring Proper Installation

https://www.amazon.com/JEGS-612200-Gear-Marking-Compound/dp/B078WJ7GNS

it'll make it much easier to read where the pinion is riding without trying to 'read the tea leaves' in ring gear metallurgy patterns.

 

+1 on the marking compound - regarding position of the contact patch.

But… the wear pattern appears somewhat rough. (?) I would have expected it to have developed a shinier / polished appearance. And the shape/position of the contact area seems to change, going from the 12 o’clock position, back to the 10 o’clock position. Maybe just shadows.

Definitely do the marking compound, and more pictures.

 

The depth looks good. The roughness would be a concern to me. Did you breaks these in before the road trip? Change line at 500 miles? Did you tow with this after install? What lube did you use?

As others have stated, marking compound or even white lithium grease would help a great deal to better see the pattern

 

Wild guess, but I’m thinking GL4 oil was used, or even run dry

 

Or water

 

I used valvoline 85w140 (GL-5) Oil. Break-in was short 15-25 mile trips at varying speeds. Oil was changed at roughly 510 miles.

As for marking compound, apparently, no one carries it, so I needed to order some. I was planning to do exactly that when I pulled them, but was unable to get any locally

 

I believe you posted a picture of the coast side of the gears, could you also post a picture of the drive side?

 

Ok so it’s a new 3rd member. I was thinking it was a used 3rd member. I’ve never seen a pattern like that.

 

you can get a visible pattern with white lithium, grease, and an acid brush. The yellow marking compound is easier to see but lithium can be used.

 

Unnamed as in you don’t want to name them or you got it off Wish? Whats their warranty?

 

Unnamed as in I don't want to name them. I think they are going to make it right, but wanted to see if I/the internet hive mind could sort a definitive problem.

 

Would a small tube of artist’s oil paint work? (Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, etc)

The link for the $8 JEGS stuff had $15 shipping!

 

Need to use gear compound, but initially it looks like the pinion is deep to me. And as stated, that’s the coast side. We need to see the drive side. Both matter, but drive is more important.

 

Im waiting for the company to respond with the plan before i pull it apart again. If theyre going to take care of it, im gunna stop spending money on it (oil is rather expensive to keep doing this haha)

 

I agree, it looks like wear pattern is deep in ring gear.

 

Update: The unnamed company is indeed making it right and sending out another diff. Im going to pattern both of them before i send this one back or bolt in the new one. Will report once the new one is in

 

If they are making it right wouldn't it be good to know what company?

I would want to buy from them if I knew they would take accountability for errors.

 

Shipping loaded diffs... my money is on ECGS.

 

I assumed as much, but still an assumption.