LLY rear axle - weird wear on edge of gear

2004LB7

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Dec 15, 2010
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Probably that way from the factory. If it's not making noise or other problem and you don't see any excess metal in the oil then ignore it
 

NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
39
28
Reno, NV
Probably that way from the factory. If it's not making noise or other problem and you don't see any excess metal in the oil then ignore it
It’s hard to tell. When I look at new gears, this chamfer isn’t there. I’m not having noise and the drive and coast sides look otherwise normal. I don’t see excess wear on either side. It pretty symmetrical but there is a slight burr on the outer edge of the heel where the chamfer is which is sharp. That part seems like damage but I don’t see any other evidence. I also can’t tell what would cause such a weird marking
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
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check the pinion for damage. its on the coast side of the ring gear (only used in reverse) so i doubt it will give you much issue. usually the gear mesh isnt that far out to be worrisome as long as the pinion is healthy.
 

NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
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28
Reno, NV
check the pinion for damage. its on the coast side of the ring gear (only used in reverse) so i doubt it will give you much issue. usually the gear mesh isnt that far out to be worrisome as long as the pinion is healthy.
Even then, it’s the wrong angle for the pinion teeth right? What could even make that mark if there’s contact? I didn’t see any evident damage on the pinion but I didn’t remove it to find out so just looking in there with a flashlight, it looked ok. I had the usual fine metal sludge in my oil I grabbed with a magnet but no large chunks or shavings. I put a Banks cover on so I’ll check it out if I hear any noise going on. It’s fairly symmetrical but as there was some residue on the gear areas that don’t touch, this looked like it has contact and I’m just not sure with what or when.
 

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Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
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the only way to be 100% sure is to do as Jesse said and throw some marking compound on it. you can have a heel/toe pattern pretty far off and not have issues (matter of fact, when you setup gears, heel/toe location is a secondary consideration to other factors). almost seems like a factory blem? did you buy this truck new? whats the history on the rear end?
 

NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
39
28
Reno, NV
the only way to be 100% sure is to do as Jesse said and throw some marking compound on it. you can have a heel/toe pattern pretty far off and not have issues (matter of fact, when you setup gears, heel/toe location is a secondary consideration to other factors). almost seems like a factory blem? did you buy this truck new? whats the history on the rear end?
Bought with 60k in 09’ so been with me for most of its life. I changed fluids but never took the rear cover off. It hasn’t been touched since factory as far as I’m aware.
 

2004LB7

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2010
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Only found one other thread on another site where someone has the same issue. Looks as if everyone else says its not an issue unless it's making noise

 
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NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
39
28
Reno, NV
Only found one other thread on another site where someone has the same issue. Looks as if everyone else says its not an issue unless it's making noise

From the look, same year axle, same feature. I’m guessing factory. Thanks for providing that - gives me some peace of mind.
 

NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
39
28
Reno, NV
Ya know....if it wasnt a problem before you took the cover off, its not going to be a problem once you put the cover back on.....just sayin'
Agreed, but I’ve been towing 20k for the last 2 years with it for vacations/etc and some daily driving. I did have a whine not long before tear down but I’m guessing that was a cracked flex plate issue I’ve found and resolved. We’ll see when I get it back on the road next week.
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
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It does look strange, and I'm surprised QC would've let it slide at the factory.

But that being said, if it was some trash going through the R&P you'd see a much more erratic pattern
 

NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
39
28
Reno, NV
Did a little over 1200 miles with the banks diff cover and it seemed to do well. Obviously it's just seat of the pants but hey, we know it couldn't hurt. However, to my point above with the wear, the banks cover comes with a sight glass. I would have never been the wiser before but my new diff fluid is pretty darn black now. What do you all make of that? Is that normal? 1K of the 1200 was towing 20k up and down steep grades in 98deg weather.
 

Leadfoot

Needs Bigger Tires!
Dec 27, 2006
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www.matpa.org
Did a little over 1200 miles with the banks diff cover and it seemed to do well. Obviously it's just seat of the pants but hey, we know it couldn't hurt. However, to my point above with the wear, the banks cover comes with a sight glass. I would have never been the wiser before but my new diff fluid is pretty darn black now. What do you all make of that? Is that normal? 1K of the 1200 was towing 20k up and down steep grades in 98deg weather.
It's surprising how quickly fluids can discolor under use. Add to that the fact that you drained and cleaned the center section and installed a new clean cover, but the axle tubes and both hubs were filled with old oil which mixed in fairly quickly with your new fluid after some use. It only takes a little bit of old oil to mix with the new and discolor. You could continue flushing, but what you did is more than most have done without issues.
 
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2004LB7

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2010
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Probably the only real way to know is install a temp sensor in it and watch it while driving. Otherwise just accept it as normal and not worry
 

NevadaLLY

Adam B
Feb 24, 2019
311
39
28
Reno, NV
Decided to do another fluid change at 7k miles.. more fine graphite type metal attached to the magnetic drain plug - more than I think I should expect in the short interval? As others said, maybe a little of the old fluid in the tubes brought some down but still, seems like a lot for sub 10k miles.
 

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