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Front Differential Rebuild

Nov 2005, Differential rebuild with only 400 miles on Prairie 650.

Thought I'd spend a few minutes to assemble some photos of my differential rebuild.

How this happened. Got stuck in a snow pile, locked the front diff and spun the tires hard. Stock original oil could not dissipate the heat fast enough.

It was suggested that my front spider gears were fused to the shaft they spin on. Sure enough that was it.

It was not a difficult project at all. Everything came apart without incident. However, a lot has to come apart. I figure I have 5 hours into it working relatively slow and it being my 1st time taking it apart. The next time I can probably do the entire job in 3 hours.

Dealer wants over $1000.00 for this and they would have never given me all the new parts I bought. I wanted to be better safe than sorry. Most dealers probably would have reused the L & R Gear covers and 16 tooth spider gears even though they showed signs of wear. but you have to replace them in pairs.

I felt these photos may help others better understand what is all involved. I took more photos of the damaged parts but can't find them right now.