willysmjeeps.com

Hi all,
I have my front diff ring gear out at the moment.
I've noticed some pitting on the teeth near the crest of the teeth; I'll try and post a picture here later today.

Thing is I'm wondering what is a 'normal' amount of pitting for a 60 year old front diff?

Are other peoples experiences that all 60 year old ring gears are pitted?

Is some pitting normal?

This jeep has had a hard life, worked to junk and rebuilt by J.O.C. then given as MAP, then worked to junk again until the late 80s by the Greeks.

Certainly in the commercial world where I used to work this ring gear would be replaced; however, given that it's the front diff and I run free wheel hubs which means it only really ever gets used (turned) when it's really needed, and not for very long, I will just leave it where it is.

Thanks,
Dave.

Dave, i took a lot of detailed pics furing the restoration if you need some you can always ask, i can mail them or put in the photo gallery on this webside.

succes, Erik

Ok, here are some pics, to get the detail you might have to super size them.







What do you think about this dgree of pitting?
Thanks,
Dave.

Don't worry for my opinion.
Erik

Just for my two cents worth I'd say mechanically it depends on how deep the pitting goes into the tooth of the gear. And since that is virtually impossible to determine....if it was my ring gear......it would get replaced. But then I tend to err way on the side of caution. When I went through my transmission and transfer case if a part showed any visible sign of rust it got replaced. I know some of these parts probably have years of service left in them but I wanted to at least know I was starting off with my jeep in as good a condition as it could possibly be. That plus I really didn't want rust flaking off into my lub oil acting like a grit to promote further wear. So.....given the cost of your labor today....the price of the part today.....and the projected cost for both at some future date.....doesn't it make sense to just fix the problem today and be done with it? Finally.......trust your better judgement. You obviously felt compelled to question the quality of the gear. That tells me you suspect its bad and are just looking for support when you have to ask the banker for "more money". That's okay....I do that all the time. Yeppers.....the guys on the board agree.....the part is shot.....so please, please, please give me some money to go buy a new one.....pleeeeeze!!!! hehehe......good luck.
Oh yeah......and remember....just because you take the old part out does not mean it automatically becomes a boat anchor. Clean it up, oil it up or treat it, wrap it up in oil paper and hang on to it so future generations can look at it and go......what the heck did this come off of???

Jim