Sludge? how many miles on that diff? I replaced the one in the 240, had around 310K. changing the oil, had all these pretty sparkles in it. pulled the rear cover, and the 2 Spider gears? the ones on the verticle shaft, were all loose and wobbly. that`s when I up graded from the 3:69 to the 3:58.
You have the 2:88, they are around, just harder to find if you need one.
those 2 side axle seals would be easy to replace with the diff sitting there looking at you, and you have it all apart any way.
the insides of the diff is painted a yellow color as I remember. wouldn`t the brake clean loosen it and cause a possible problem? I know it can wrinkle paint.
Army, that looks good, that is what I did to mine when I had it apart. Used POR after I steam cleaned it and scrubed it down with Marine Clean. sanded and then painted it.
Hawaii? Naa I don`t look good in a grass skirt.
Charlie