Are those the original gears? That may have been a piece left behind during a repair/replace/rebuild and ground up over time.

 

As far as I am aware they are the original gears, although a lot of the work the PO said he had done either wasn't or was done poorly so who knows. the gears all looked to be in quite good shape for 290k km. The only thing besides the chunk of thrust washer was some minor scoring around the outside of the carrier though I imagine that's from the chunk of washer being thrown around

 

Really strong magnetic drain and fill plugs, or even a bar magnet epoxied to the case or cover inside will help broken bits from bashing stuff, and help keep all the fine bits from wearing the moving bits.

I put magnets on all my diffs, transfer case, tranny and engine plugs. I put them inside oil pans on some cars. Some say I am a highly attractive person too.

 

Your best bet is to spin the ring and spider gears and find out exactly what is busted...If you replace the ring you have to replace the pinion..no exceptions and shimming is a nightmare....or you can swap out the whole rear...much easier and probably cheaper

 

Sounds good I'll investigate that tonight when I get home.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone I really appreciate it! I would be dead in the water otherwise and probably end up either driving it till it broke, or take it to a shop and spend a bunch of money I don't have lol. You guys rock!

 

if that is an "open" diff 8.25, you possibly can take the cover off and spin the gears, you should be able to see the pinion gear and spider gear washers ?