I took my car in to my mechanic this morning for him to change the differential fluid. Although the car is not driven that much (now has 20K on it), since the manual says every two years or 30K I decided to have it done. Well, they found metal shavings when they went in there that they are saving for me. I haven't felt or heard any grinding or anything. I'm looking for advice on what the problem is and how to approach the dealer about resolving it. Differential replacement? Thanks!!!

 

Just say thank you and walk away. All diff's create metal shavings (that is why it has a magnetic plug to collect them) and it is normal especially in the first 20K miles. Just keep changing the fluid on schedule and you will be fine.

 

Whew...that's great news!! MsP is definitely not a motorhead. Thanks!

 

Cdelena has giving you a good reply. As this is your first diff fluid change, the presence of shavings is not anything to worry about. Those shavings most likely were formed in the first few thousand miles or less. Of course, had he shown you metal chards, that would be a different matter and I'm sure you would have felt something odd with the way the car worked by now. If he's saving these things for you, perhaps take a closeup picture of it and post it up here for us to see (if you can).

 

I will save them. These guys are good mechanics, so the fact that they mentioned it and are saving them for me suggests that it might be more than "normal", whatever that is. I need to see for myself and talk to them this afternoon when I pick up the car. I'll describe them if I can't get a pic to post. Thanks again.

 

i've only noticed metallic sludge on the magnetic drain plug.

 

Update...I picked up the car last night from the mechanic and it looks like to me there could be a problem. I don't have a pic but the stuff they saved is two or three very small hard pieces of what looks like carbon. Not really shavings. I have them. Any ideas? I plan to take it to the dealer for a check since I do have an extended warranty (original has expired). If the differential has to be replaced, I would hope the warranty would cover it!

 

The small pieces that I have seen come out of my diff were a shiny metal - much less than a millimeter. I guess it's best to investigate further. I would hope that your warranty will cover it but you should ask before they get too far into the job.

 

Thanks, Dave...I plan to discuss the warranty issue before they do anything to the car.

 

I can't imagine where carbon shards would come from - a picture would be most helpful in determining what they are and if further investigation is necessary. BTW, I'd strongly consider the opinion of people like cdelena, xviper, and hecash before following any advice the dealer offers, unless they are willing to do free work.