Hi guys. It is very odd that the diff is out. Extreme play was the indicator so we decided to drain the diff fluid. What went in originally was standard gear oil about 30k ago. It cam out looking like moly with a good amount of metal chips. After fishing a magnet in it we got lots of schrapnel.

The car was purchased new by my father in 1992 so I can vouch for the mileage. I bought it from him in 97 with 32k on it.

I can say that since new the car has always had a clunk shifting into 3rd or fourth especially when coasting with little load from the engine (certainly downhill)

My dad is the kind of guy that will never complain but my guess is the diff was wrong since day one. It just took twenty years to work its way through.

I did get a diff from Stockton auto dismatlers off of a 91. I will throw it in next week and report back. Supposedly it is the same ratio but at the end of the day if it has a lower ratio I will take the improved fuel economy.

Let you know how it goes.