broken front differential lip

[santon]

I replaced the seal of the front differential and, while removing the front left axle, I cracked the outer lip of the differential. The new seal seats OK, there is no leak of oil right now. However, I don't know what to do about the damaged area. Should I leave this alone or any action required?

 

[coolasice]

My opinion... leave it....

 

[santon]

My opinion... leave it....

Thanks!

 

[Mooseman]

Same here. Leave well enough alone.

Sp what happened? You try to pry out the axle?

 

[santon]

Sp what happened? You try to pry out the axle?

Yes, me and my friend tried to pry out the axle with different size of pry bars. I already thought the axle will never come out. During this process, the we cracked the differential... Finally, succeeded to remove the axle with the help of the slide hammer. Even with the slide hammer, it took some time to finally remove the axle. We noticed that every whack of the slide hammer is moving the engine, so we supported the engine with the jack and it helped to redirect all the force of the slide hammer to the right place.

 

[Reprise]

I look at this and see what could possibly lead to a stress fracture a couple of inches down (approx. 7 o'clock). If that happened, the area in between could cleave off. Hard to tell from a pic.

If you wanted to be especially diligent, you could mix up some JB Weld and reinforce the area.
Even if it did crack off, I don't see that it would leak fluid, if that piece were to come off. Examine and assess.

You shouldn't have to remove the CV axle to effect the repair, as long as you can get in there with your hand. If not... I'd take my chances leaving as-is, and monitor the situation accordingly.

(on edit: I always whack on the inside edge of the tripot, and drive from the axle; have never had a problem that way. Turn the axle shaft as needed to expose a good edge on the tripot).

 

[santon]

I look at this and see what could possibly lead to a stress fracture a couple of inches down (approx. 7 o'clock). If that happened, the area in between could cleave off. Hard to tell from a pic.

If you wanted to be especially diligent, you could mix up some JB Weld and reinforce the area.
Even if it did crack off, I don't see that it would leak fluid, if that piece were to come off. Examine and assess.

Visually, it seems like besides the cracked area, everything is OK. Also, the differential survived the removal of an old seal, and mounting the new seal. I will put some JB Weld to reinforce the area.

 

[TollKeeper]

Leave its..

 

[santon]

Thank you, guys. I will leave it as is. Removing the differential is not an easy job, and it seems that there is no real reason to do it right now.

 

[TollKeeper]

Thank you, guys. I will leave it as is. Removing the differential is not an easy job, and it seems that there is no real reason to do it right now.

Only if you knew the V8 life.. Would gladly trade ya, if I could keep my V8.