gunk in the differentials

[kwd509]

Drained the differential oil on the rover. It had been abandoned for 25-30 years. The only surprise was the extent to which this grey slime remains adhered the internals.

The vehicle is to remain an unmoving project on jack stands for the next several months ( at leasts). Would a kerosene or diesel bath/flush of the differentials /axle cases be a good thing?

I'm sure something is called for to get this stuff out.
Thoughts?

[Terrys]

Nothing beats pulling it apart and giving everything a thorough flush. If you don't want to pull the diffs, putting enough kero in the get the ring gear into it, and then ( assuming it is, in fact, up on jack stands) running the drive-train a few minutes will flush it to the bottom of the case. The slime you're seeing is suspended water. Best to get it out of there.

[gambrinus]

Once you get the gunk flushed out and you re-fill with 90wt, run it a VERY short distance, and then re-flush out that 90wt. It will have some of the cleaner/kero mixed in with it and will break down pretty quickly. This will get ALL of the gunk/cleaner out of there and leave you with just the 90wt that you want in there.. OR you could just pull the diff and give it a good through cleaning with a pan and a brush.

RW

[disco2hse]

^^ Wot he said ^^

[kwd509]

well, the kero in differential, is a good idea. With a day before the cold snap decided to start that process (even though the vehicle is not yet ready to run on axle stands)........... did this on the rear differential, but after having replaced pinion seal.

That was the right sequence, because with the front, after about five minutes the drip, drip, drip confirmed that the pinion seal is toast. Sort of funny.