Glen's 95 series Prado getting broken in

[MDST Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDST]

Last week I found oil oozing out of my rear diff, all around the main housing where the two parts come together (particularly on top). The seal appeared to be blown out and the nuts holding the diff together were loose. I don't know when it happened, or why... maybe it was a recent river crossing, maybe the nuts were just never quite tight enough..?

Anyway, it was completely overhauled 7 months ago when I had the lockers and ratios installed, but this came with only 3 months warrantee. Despite this, I still took it back to the same place (Bears Diffs and Gearbox Reconditioning Pty Ltd, in St Marys) and after a quick inspection, they decided to replace the gasket and seal it back up. I was only charged for new diff oil. I think that's a pretty good outcome - both in regards to the shop support, and my luck in finding the issue before the diff ran dry!

Hey Glen, check this out:

http://www.inchwormgear.com/collecti...eliminator-kit

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Hey Glen, check this out:

http://www.inchwormgear.com/collecti...eliminator-kit

Thanks for the link MDST! I wasn't aware of that issue, so I think I'll keep an eye on the diff and check nut torsion routinely.

[spamwell Member Find all posts View Profile Close spamwell]

ive been going through your post, seems offset is definitely the killer when it comes to fitting bigger tires to a 90, seems you ran in to all of the problems i had as soon as your changed your offset.

mine is exaggerated because i have 17*9 inch wheels, i think with them i won't be able to run much larger than what i have now. i did have 285/70r17 which i don't think ever would have cleared properly (got defected anyways). i was hoping someone makes a 275/70r17, at the moment i have 275/65r17's which are actually smaller rolling diametre than a 265/70r17

i'm not really making any points here just an observation lol

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Hey spamwell,
Which problems do you think might be related to offset?

The only one I can definitely pin point is the flare rubbing/clearance - but that was expected, and delt with.

[spamwell Member Find all posts View Profile Close spamwell]

i even think that the front clearance is related, it seems negative offset puts the outside edge of the tyre on the right path to fowl badly on the seam instead of behind it, but then i guess it would have done that anyway.

i also find it strange that with your setup you have all that problems in the rear, mine seemed to clear in the spots it needed to and did not quite compress far enough for fowl on the front or the rear, maybe a spring with a stiffer rate / bump stop spacer to slow down and slightly limit that last bit of up travel will cure alot of headaches.

for example my suzuki was running a 5 inch coil lift, i actually fiited progressive bump stops from a 100 series because they started to compress when the wheel was coming close to where i wanted it to stop and then stopped it dead before the stage of causing damage.

i know that travel is everything but getting your bump stops right is a nice insurance policy for your flares etc. I think that alot of the time that last 40mm of up travel is not really noticed when fine tuning your clearance issues, your car becomes more capable becuase you don't stop when your flare gets ripped off haha

[spamwell Member Find all posts View Profile Close spamwell]

as an example thats my bumpstop limiting up travel in the rear on that pic

[spamwell Member Find all posts View Profile Close spamwell]

ive been hearing the ball joint creak you where referring to as well, did you notice it shuddered a little under brakes as well ??

if mine are buggered i will get the uca's as well, and throw in my diff drop and strut spacers, POW lol, did you find the diff drop worked with the brown davis bash plate ?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Hey spamwell,
Yes you are correct that the wide offest rims introduced clearance issues with the flares. Before this, even with the tall 33's on standard +15 offset alloys I had absolutely no clearance issues (the body lift helps). However, I really wanted the wider offset to improve the stability of the vehicle, and was fully aware that doing so would create clearance issues with the flares.

I guess bump stop changes could have resolved the rear rubbing, I didn't even think of this, but then, why limit precious suspension travel when some heating/bending and triming will suffice? Anyway, I knew which way I was going to go, and definitely happy with the results. Additionally, the front end would still have required modifications, as the body seam and mudflap definitely get in the way with such a large offset.

Why didn't yours contact at the rear? Well what size did you run? What offset? My guess is it's due to the TALL 33's having just that little extra height, plus the offset which is a little wider than what most will do.

Another thing to consider is that when I test these things, I really push it as far as possible; ie; in your suzuki picture, with the car in that position I would only measure the front, because it has the vehicle weight pushing it to the limits. Whilst the rear doesn't have enough weight to push it to it's limits (need to turn the vehicle around). Does this really make a difference? YES!!! I took measurements of the car in various positions and clearly found that you need the vehicles weight to attain maximum compression, and thus, maximum possible rubbing. This is because you need additional forces to compress bump stops and/or twist the sway bars. I doubt many people go through this kind of rigorous testing - and those that don't may find their flare falling off one day, when they're fully loaded and go through some big holes ;-)

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

ive been hearing the ball joint creak you where referring to as well, did you notice it shuddered a little under brakes as well ??

if mine are buggered i will get the uca's as well, and throw in my diff drop and strut spacers, POW lol, did you find the diff drop worked with the brown davis bash plate ?

No, definitely no shuddering or other symptoms under braking. Perhaps you have unevenly worn discs/pads? (often occurs if the calpiers need an overhaul)

I'm still running the original bash plates (with mods), but they're really copping a beating so I'll have to fit up the replacement soon. I have a bash plate from Macquarie 4x4 waiting, but no it won't fit directly, it needs mods due to the diff drop.

http://www.macquarie4x4.com.au/index...=Bash%20Plates

[spamwell Member Find all posts View Profile Close spamwell]

isn't it amazing how even on the road the better offset gives you so much more stability. I must not have pushed my car hard enough when i had the big tyres on lol

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

The diff drop boxes are nicely done. The sloped design should help prevent the bash plate getting hung up.

[4wd Supplies Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd Supplies]

Nice looking rig Glen.

[MDST Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDST]

Glen, if I were you, I would make the oil engine drain hole.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Thanks fellas!
Yes I'm happy with the welded-on components, they should slide okay and are VERY strong, stronger than the plate itself

Hmm.. The thing about engine oil changes, is that I always replace the filter as well, and to do that easily, without making a mess, I have always removed the bash plates anyway... so... a drain hole - I don't see the advantage (?)