Rear diff problems

[Big and Daft]

So about 2 weeks ago the rear of my Terrano started making a 'whurring' noise - similar to a worn out wheel bearing noise - at speeds over 50mph.
Last week when it was wet, I went around a corner and the back end stepped out and every right hand corner after that it felt like I was driving on ice - really worrying at times.
I took it to my local garage once I got home and he found that the rear axle wasn't square, but nothing else was loose. He straightened it as much as he could, he says it 2-3mm out now.

So today I also decided to change the rear diff oil, as I read of people having similar problems to mine. The was definitely LSD oil in it, as I changed it and used the Comma LS 80W-90 stuff - no more than 10k miles ago, probably closer to 8k.
When I took the sump plug off there where metal shavings stuck to it and the oil had a slight silvery tinge to it.
I changed the oil and went for a drive, the noise has gone - but I'm still concerned about the metal, the bits were very thin and maybe 2mm in length. Typical iron filing size really.


Could this of happened because the LSD oil had 'worn out' - I'm not sure if the LSD additive can wear out of not. Or maybe the mis-aligned axle was causing the LSD to work more causing it to wear out?

Has anyone ever heard of this or any similar problems?
Should I be concerned about the metal pieces or it that relatively normal?
Should I sell it and get a Landrover? Only joking!

 

[stinka]

The axle was loose ?? New one on me mate lol

Unless a link is bent nowt can really go wrong

Metal on diff plug is normal, mine was covered but diff isn't noisey and works ok albeit for the LSD plates worn out

 

[Big and Daft]

The axle wasn't loose, just not perpendicular - nothing else was loose, the bloke at the garage was a little perplexed.

There wasn't much metal, but some is always worse than none. I'm planning on changing the diff oil again is 2 weeks or so, just to help flush out any other bit in there.

 

[spiderpig37]

i wouldnt worry change the oil a bit more regular and keep an eye on the deposits as for axle out of line what did he use as a reference point to "square it up" hope he didnt lift your leg too high?

 

[Big and Daft]

He measured corner to corner and front to back. Also the gap in front of the rear tyre was different either side. I trust them, been going there for a while. They've always been fair.