Drained my transfer box, bronze metal on magnet!

Chalky. · Jun 22, 2022

Hi chaps!
Dropped the oil on the diffs and transfer box yesterday, the transfer box one was a bit over due, I usually do it every 8k but did it at 12k this time, found a big bit of bronze type metal (I think from the bush that's by the diff) , is this a major cause for concern or should I start saving for an overhaul? I've filled it up and used it today, seems fine. It does get worked hard and I'm always in and out of difflock at work using it to haul trailers and logs etc etc. Vehicle has now done 146k on all original box's and clutch etc. Here's a piccy!

Bobsticle · Jun 23, 2022

Dint think bronze was magnetic

Chalky. · Jun 23, 2022

Oh I dunno! It's definitely a yellow colour metal, and I know they use bronze bushes so that was the conclusion I jumped to!

kermit_rr · Jun 23, 2022

Bobsticle said:
Dint think bronze was magnetic

Maybe its speshul bronze, yanno, the steel kind.

kermit_rr · Jun 23, 2022

Or maybe it's just stuck in the gunk

payydg · Jun 23, 2022

Gottschalk said:
Hi chaps!
Dropped the oil on the diffs and transfer box yesterday, the transfer box one was a bit over due, I usually do it every 8k but did it at 12k this time, found a big bit of bronze type metal (I think from the bush that's by the diff) , is this a major cause for concern or should I start saving for an overhaul? I've filled it up and used it today, seems fine. It does get worked hard and I'm always in and out of difflock at work using it to haul trailers and logs etc etc. Vehicle has now done 146k on all original box's and clutch etc. Here's a piccy!
View attachment 267866

You sure a couple of leaves hadn’t blown on it?

If the box is functioning fine then I would have thought more likely from the selector forks. Which isn’t a problem so long as everything selects ok.

saxavordian · Jun 23, 2022

Is it metal tinted in brass or copper a cheap replacement...

Chalky. · Jun 23, 2022

payydg said:
You sure a couple of leaves hadn’t blown on it?

If the box is functioning fine then I would have thought more likely from the selector forks. Which isn’t a problem so long as everything selects ok.

I'm not sure what you mean about leaves? The yellowish metal on the magnet was definitely magnetised, and there were a few smaller curfs of it that I removed before I thought to take a picture.
The transfer box does have play in the center diff, you can tell when you're slowly maneuvering off road etc in low box, it all is a little clunky but to be expected with this age and mileage.
Just somewhat concerning when you find any shards of metal this big on the drain plug, whatever type it is....

JimS · Jun 23, 2022

Supposedly there are certain bronze alloys that are slightly magnetic, presumably with a high nickel content, but I've never come across any

JUKE179r · Jun 23, 2022

I hope that cut on your finger doesn't get infected.

Turboman · Jun 23, 2022

kermit_rr said:
Maybe its speshul bronze, yanno, the steel kind.

It will be an alloy with ferrous metal in it.
Bronze is nothing like hard enough for bearing shells, etc.
Probably nothing to worry about, gearboxes always sustain a bit of wear, unless there is masses of metal in the sump, it isn't usually a problem.

Chalky. · Jun 23, 2022

Turboman said:
It will be an alloy with ferrous metal in it.
Bronze is nothing like hard enough for bearing shells, etc.
Probably nothing to worry about, gearboxes always sustain a bit of wear, unless there is masses of metal in the sump, it isn't usually a problem.

Cool! Cheers Turbo!

Turboman · Jun 23, 2022

Gottschalk said:
Cool! Cheers Turbo!

Just wipe it off, and put the new oil in.
If you are worried about it, drain the oil again in a few weeks, and check the plug again.
An extra oil change won't do any harm, especially on a vehicle that is worked hard, and you will be able to monitor the situation.

kermit_rr · Jun 23, 2022

Turboman said:
It will be an alloy with ferrous metal in it.
Bronze is nothing like hard enough for bearing shells, etc.
Probably nothing to worry about, gearboxes always sustain a bit of wear, unless there is masses of metal in the sump, it isn't usually a problem.

Bronze is mostly copper with some tin, maybe some zinc, possibly some lead. Iron might be used, but in such small quantities the bronze wouldn't be magnetic

Turboman · Jun 23, 2022

kermit_rr said:
Bronze is mostly copper with some tin, maybe some zinc, possibly some lead. Iron might be used, but in such small quantities the bronze wouldn't be magnetic

I think some steel components, such as thrust washers, have a coating of non ferrous metals on them, to prevent corrosion when the box is stationary, and the oil isn't getting pumped around.
So I would guess it is possible that flakes coming off such components could contain some ferrous and some non-ferrous metals.

kermit_rr · Jun 23, 2022

I think there's a bronze bush on 1st/2nd gear shaft? Those bits are known to go

Turboman · Jun 23, 2022

kermit_rr said:
Bronze is mostly copper with some tin, maybe some zinc, possibly some lead. Iron might be used, but in such small quantities the bronze wouldn't be magnetic

kermit_rr said:
I think there's a bronze bush on 1st/2nd gear shaft? Those bits are known to go

According to your previous post, bits of that shouldn't stick to the magnet!

And in any case, this is the transfer box, and there is no oil transfer between the two.

Brown · Jun 23, 2022

When I took mine apart I got a flake of yellow coloured metal too. Mine was from the yoke that moves the splined slider back and forth to engage the difflock. Where it rubs on the sides of the groove the yellow metal burrs over and makes a flake over a long period of time. I know, because on mine it was still attached by a few molecules. Before too long it would have fallen off and been floating around in the oil just like yours.

Brown · Jun 23, 2022

And here's a picture of it. This is just one I've copied off the internet. Mine was never as clean as this. But you can see the yellow-coloured component.

saxavordian · Jun 23, 2022

Gottschalk said:
Hi chaps!
Dropped the oil on the diffs and transfer box yesterday, the transfer box one was a bit over due, I usually do it every 8k but did it at 12k this time, found a big bit of bronze type metal (I think from the bush that's by the diff) , is this a major cause for concern or should I start saving for an overhaul? I've filled it up and used it today, seems fine. It does get worked hard and I'm always in and out of difflock at work using it to haul trailers and logs etc etc. Vehicle has now done 146k on all original box's and clutch etc. Here's a piccy!
View attachment 267866

Dear I noticed your fingers are not protected from nail polish. Have a word with Freelander section for colour chart.

Drained my transfer box, bronze metal on magnet!

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