Bent Diff housing!

[Danrex Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Danrex]

Hi all,
Picked up my car yesterday after getting two new tie rods done, and asked if they could grease the axle and do a general look over while it was up on the hoist, since we have a trip away shortly.
Unfortunely they found (the camber on passenger rear was out) the actual housing on the rear diff was bent. Bugger!!! :cry:
Has anybody experienced this before?
And does anyone know the rough cost of this? (waiting for the price back,one to just straighten it or two new housing)
Whats the chance of the axle being bent or bearings stuffed?
Cheers Dan

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Danrex,

About 10 years years ago I had a similar problem with an old 4x4 Hilux. It had copped a whack from a Torana on the LHR and subsequently started chewing axle bearings. Upon investigation it had bent the outer axle mounting flange. Not noticable to the naked eye but enough to cause problems.
I sent it to a Diff shop (WA Diffs) and they simply cut the end of the housing off, realigned it and welded it back on properly. Cost was minimal, around $150-$200 from memory. Must be clear though that the price was only to fix the housing. I removed and stripped the rear axle, sent it to them for repair and then I reassembled the unit and refitted to the car.

I would expect that if you have a bent housing you would almost certainly have a bent axle too.

My best advice would be to take your vehicle to a dedicated Diff/Transmission shop for inspection and quote as this sort of stuff is bread and butter for them. You will probably find your local mechanic would remove the diff and send it to a diff shop anyway. May as well cut out the middle man if you can.

*** Just looked at your post properly and noticed you are in Perth too ops:. Give the boys at WA Diffs a call on 9314 2303. They are in O'Conner. Good blokes who will sort you out.

Hope that helps,
Chriso

[Danrex Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Danrex]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Cheers,
Ye i am hoping its only the housing (no weird noises from the back end yet) The guys that did my aglinement after the tie rods actually picked it up on there computer system. They reckon its out by 9mm(they allow up to about 3mm), so hopefully all is ok inside. Dont know exactlly whats bent housing (arm??) or the flange you are talking about. Haven't spoken diectly to the mechanic yet.
That Torana would have been like a brick wall smashing into you!

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Cheers,
That Torana would have been like a brick wall smashing into you!

Ha Ha there was three cars involved in the accident. The Hilux, the Torana and a Hyundaimitsusomethingorother hatchback. The Torrie was the only one that didn't leave the scene on a tow truck!

[raydes Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close raydes]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Toyota also did a recall on some of the 90 series, they changed the rear axles and bearings free of charge, might want to check with Toyota to see if you Prado was one of them .

[Danrex Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Danrex]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Toyota also did a recall on some of the 90 series,

Yes thanks for that, but no free diff off toyo for me! Car was built after the recall.
Just waiting on the call tomorrow now ( said it wasnt going to be cheap labour hrs mainly) and will also get WA Diff boys to have a squizz.

[Danrex Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Danrex]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Hi all
Just some info back for ya.
Its going to cost about $200 to straighten the actual diff housing and about $400 for the labour and oils.
Will cost a little more if the diff housing is too far gone and a secondhand one has to be sourced.
See how I go when they pull it apart.
The diff housing was bent up and back a little on the LHR about 8mm.

[Danrex Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Danrex]

Re: Bent Diff housing!

Hi all
Just a follow up on the repairs.
All turned out good inside the housing, good chance to put in new seals and look at the axle, diff and bearings. They managed to bend the diff housing straight again, and painted it like brand new again (will have to get that dirty, Coral Bay trip coming up)!
Drives without the hum now, very happy with results.
Cheers