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Front differential problems

Discussion in 'General Jeep Discussion' started by LooseNut, May 20, 2020.

  1. May 20, 2020 at 7:51 PM
    #1
    LooseNut

    LooseNut [OP] Member

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    If my front differential is empty, will my 4 wheel drive still work? Drive shaft spins from transfer case, but nothing contacting front differential
     
  2. May 20, 2020 at 8:12 PM
    #2
    Jim Beam

    Jim Beam Well-Known Member

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    Yes, it will work, until it gets hot and the gears meshing will cause excessive wear on those gears.
     
  3. May 20, 2020 at 8:49 PM
    #3
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    what's empty? no fluid? no gears?
    nothing contacting the front diff? :notsure:
     
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  4. May 20, 2020 at 11:39 PM
    #4
    LooseNut

    LooseNut [OP] Member

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    The front diff was bone dry when I pulled the plug and dipped my finger. In 4pt, 4ft, and 4lo, the transfer case spins the drive shaft and I can't stop it. So the problem lies in the front diff. New CV shafts. When I put all 4 wheels up in the air, the front wheels spin freely in all 4 wheel drive gears. Front diff doesn't make any noise when in 4 wheel. Could it be lack of fluid to lock gears inside the diff?
     
  5. May 21, 2020 at 1:11 PM
    #5
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    May be lack of gears. I would open the differential and take a look.
     
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  6. May 21, 2020 at 1:53 PM
    #6
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    Don't need fluid when the pumpkin is empty.
    Also looking at your other thread on the transfer case it looks like someone trashed the 4wd system (tcase and front axle), made it driveable (took our front gears), and traded it in.
    That really sucks for you.
     
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  7. May 22, 2020 at 9:49 PM
    #7
    LooseNut

    LooseNut [OP] Member

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    Transfer case works. All 4 wheel drive gears. Drive shaft spins and I can't hold on to it when all 4 wheels off the ground. I pulled the plug in the front rear, and can see the gears turning in the pumpkin. Axles are brand new. Just bought them. And double checked my install. Everything looks good. Any more input would be greatly appreciated.
     
  8. May 23, 2020 at 9:24 PM
    #8
    Jim Beam

    Jim Beam Well-Known Member

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    Fill it with fluid until it starts to run out. Better yet, pull the cover to drain out the old fluid, wipe out remaining fluid, put the cover back on and refill it.
     
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  9. May 25, 2020 at 11:24 PM
    #9
    LooseNut

    LooseNut [OP] Member

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    I pulled the pumpkin cover, drained everything, and cleaned it out. No metal shavings. Put cover back on, and refilled. Ran it in 4 wheel drive for a nice trip, then rechecked. Added a little more gear oil after the trip. Front diff still bangs when you try to engage it. Sometimes it engages, then pops back out. Sometimes it won't even engage. Thinking about just getting a different front rear and trying that. Any other suggestions???
     
  10. May 26, 2020 at 6:38 PM
    #10
    LYFZGOOD

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    Doesn’t this sound more like a transfer case probably??
     
  11. May 27, 2020 at 12:29 PM
    #11
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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