I recently purchased a used diff. When I receive it, I would like to verify its condition.

How far do I take it apart?

What am I looking for?

What, if any, changes were made to the diff from MY '00 to MY '03?

This is a spare that I hope I won't need for awhile. Should I store it dry, with the proper lube, or just fill it with cheap motor oil and change it if I ever put it in the car?

Thanks for any help!

 

You can store it like it is, just keep it dry with oil inside.

There aren't any visual differences between the 00-03 housings. You'd be hard pressed to pick out the differences in a 04 housing even if you had the side by side.

To inspect, you'd have to pull the stub axles out, and remove the back housing. The next thing to check is gears for any damage, and verify the backlash is in spec.

 

find a specialty shop that does differental set ups, and have them inspect it.

 

if you store it, block off the pressure release tube on the top so dust/water won't get in, and i wouldn't use motor oil. i'd just use mobil 1 75w90 gear oil. as long as you block off the tube its basically good forever sitting on the shelf