Diff Gears coverd in Grease!!!

[Ta2272]

Hey guys i found a 5.1 diff ratio for my race car which is a locked diff, can anyonetell me why the cogs would be coverd in grease as in wheel bearing grease.

ANd how should i go about cleaning it up just dgrease in there?

And would i reaply grease.

[clubagreenie]

Where was it? If it was on the shelf, it's just a preservative to stop rusting, if you removed it from a car it's really fucked oil. Either way, clean, check (or have checked) and install

[Ta2272]

Hey thanks for the reply yes it was a spair and sitting on the shelf, i have drenched it in degreaser and then WD 40.

Though depsite the grease there is rust and surface rust on 1/4 of the main cog of the diff, i hit it in with the emri paper and cleaned it up alittle but im still a little concerned.

It should clean itself up shouldnt it after a few runs?

thanks alot

Jason

[clubagreenie]

As long as it's not actually pitted (holed through the hardened surface) it should be fine. I once flat towed a Land Rover w/out oil in brand new g/box & t/fr case (wondering what the rattle was) left it sit for a few months, drove it, worked out the rattle, cleaned up the rust (it was new and never seen oil) and is still going.

[Ta2272]

ok thanks ill check it again i dont think it is pitted, and is it ok to run the emri paper over the cogs?

Aswell they previous owner used this expensive synthetic diff oil, whats the benifit of this oil, im thinking ill just go standard gear oil it will be fine wont it

[clubagreenie]

Enry is fine, you'd be hard pressed to sand back hardened surfaces. Just remove the surface rust. Std oil is fine as long as it's not lsd, then you'll need lsd oil, nothing fancy unless you're going to push it or else change it more often.

[Ta2272]

It gets pushed its in a race car. but there are less cogs to worry about aswell as it is locked.

Jason

[Ta2272]

He greenie what if it is slightly pitted should i not use the diff?

[clubagreenie]

You can still use, just be aware that there may be some noise and accelerated wear. Have the diff professionally lapped, where the pinion height will be reset to mesh with the optimal contact areas of the crownwheel. Can be done at home (and I can do it but time consuming, esp if you don't have the parts in front of you

If it does fet noisy(and it will) add some Nulon gear additive to keep it in check. Change oil regulary and keep the nulon in it.