Metal shavings on front diff plug - normal or no?
 

So, I noticed today that oil was leaking out of the passenger side axle tube, and realised that an axle seal might be ****ed. Decided to check the fluid level in the diff to see how much had leaked out, and was greeted by metal shavings on my diff plug.

Pics:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f795dd29c6.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b64e15ccfd.jpg

I don't know the last time this diff had been checked, I certainly haven't checked it in the past 5 years I've owned it (yes, I know, I know, I should be changing it regularly, I don't have an excuse). I do think the fluid's been changed at least once, because it's got red RTV sealant.

So, is this normal wear and tear, or should I get a better look? I'm going to get a shop to take a look at the axle seals because I don't have the time nor the tools with me to do those. Should I just let the shop take a look, or is this bad?

I haven't noticed any grinding or popping sounds from the front, so I don't think there's loose bits of metal in there.

It's a '98, 4.0L, with roughly 310,000km's on it. D30 high pinion, I'm fairly sure.

Pull the cover and take a look.

That's a bunch of metal, but there's a good chance the oil has never been changed or any change was many years ago. The bearings & gears wear and the magnet catches it. I would change the oil and motor on. Change the oil a year later and see how the magnet looks. If you're just street driving the differential will give you plenty of warning before it grenades. If you're wheeling hard and it brakes, it may have broken anyway.

I don't do any wheeling, this is my DD. I haven't noticed it sounding funky at all. It's going in to the shop this Thursday to get the seals fixed, so I told them to take a good look at things.

Pretty normal. I rarely find a plug that doesn't look like that unless it's a vehicle being serviced very well.

I know a lot of people their idea of maintenance is changing the oil only.Its probably not had the gear oil changed in it in a long time.Does the gear oil smell really bad ?