Trashed front differential

Hello zukebob

Here is a pic of what my mechanic removed from the diff's housing.
www.5b4az.org/images/offroad/diff.JPG
Not all of these were broken, but unfortunately I don't know for sure just what he found lying in the housing. Its mainly the parts in the center of the pic which were damaged. I have a feeling he also damaged parts while dismantling but that may have been due to the parts being distorted.

The diff locker is still in position and we have not removed it, but very likely its damaged inside. I consulted Suzuki's own garage mechanic, but he said he couldn't help because not having dismantled it himself he could not tell just what broke and what needs replacement.

But considering what you also mentioned, that the axle could have failed first, me and my mechanic decided to get hold of a complete axle assembly from used part dealers, if we can find one in good condition, and do a complete replacement. Whatever the case, I will be more careful not get trapped in such nasty places.

You have a piece in this picture that is very clearly damaged. In the lower middle of the picture is the cup portion of the carrier bearing. Directly above that is the damaged piece that I am referring to. Is that the air seal housing that the air line connects to? I'm referring to item 2 on this diagram.



I'm not really sure how that would be damaged if the internals of the locker itself failed. Did the carrier bearing on that side fail? Perhaps someone with more experience with air lockers can provide some insight.

It's never bad to have spares available but you may want to save money and confirm what the failure was before buying a complete front axle.

I don't really have much knowledge of the diff mechanics and parts, and my mechanic never seen an air locker so he is not sure what actually broke first. But there was a lot of damage, since he called me as soon as he opened the housing to show me that there were parts lying in it. I remember the brass airline was stretched and looked like it snapped off, as its end was deformed. So the part you refer to is likely the air seal housing.

Still, I can't be sure what the mechanic himself damaged while dismantling the unit. In any case, there are still some noises and even vibrations somehow caused by the front axle, even though the shafts should be disconnected. I think it may even be some damage somewhere in the axle or more likely the shafts moving side ways and engaging with the front wheel couplings.

Anyhow, right now I am facing serious danger to my health and even life, as a specific heart medicine I relied on for years is no longer available here and there is no suitable alternative. I am trying hard to find a way out but health care here has become a mess since government has introduced a national health service of sorts.
It makes broken diffs look rather unimportant!

Best regards

Neoklis

That doesn't sound good. Hope you find a suitable supply soon!

Yes, thanks!

Trouble is there is no other drug that does the same job (its cordarone) and I am stuck with it, since withdrawal causes exactly what it is supposed to prevent - paroxysmic tachicardia (uncontrollable doubling of the heart rate). And that leads very soon to heart failure. And I am now living alone in the country side, with only one good neighbor!

This gets worse the more I hear. Have you looked at getting a private prescription outside your usual supply chain?