Full replacement or don't stress now?

[ID Bronco]

My Son's 4 runner is running 5.13's. He drained the diff fluid last night and found this on the magnetic plug. The fluid was pretty sparkly too.

The gears have only been in about a year. They broke in fine and were quite and did not get hot.

The only gear set I've every ruined totally grenaded. This isn't that bad, so.........Should we just order a new gear set and replace them? (I assume so) or is this not something to worry over and he should run it a while?

Thanks

 

[I Lean]

Any noises or anything? I'd be inclined to keep fresh fluid in it and monitor more often than usual.

Also, if they're still Toyota axles, 5.29 is the likely ratio.

 

[skippy]

I would replace them, because you know its going to fail at the most inconvenient time possible

 

[ID Bronco]

Any noises or anything? I'd be inclined to keep fresh fluid in it and monitor more often than usual.

Also, if they're still Toyota axles, 5.29 is the likely ratio.

He heard something a couple of days ago briefly but couldn't pin point it. It's not constant.

 

[ID Bronco]

I would replace them, because you know its going to fail at the most inconvenient time possible

That's where my head was going last night.

 

[pkrfctr]

Time for a real 'jeep' ...lol
He should buy my LJ and get rid of the toy.

 

[N-Smooth]

Lucky you, the first two people that replied do gears 👍

 

[I Lean]

Lucky you, the first two people that replied do gears 👍

....and give opposite answers.

 

[ID Bronco]

Lucky you, the first two people that replied do gears 👍

And live 200 miles away.

I am grateful for input from experts.

 

[ID Bronco]

Time for a real 'jeep' ...lol
He should buy my LJ and get rid of the toy.

I was interested when you told me about it earlier. They are just so popular and the prices are high. But I agree with that thought process.