Drained my transfer box, bronze metal on magnet!

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!

 

Dint think bronze was magnetic

 

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!

 

Maybe its speshul bronze, yanno, the steel kind.

 

Or maybe it's just stuck in the gunk

 

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.

 

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

 

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....

 

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

 

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

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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