2006-08-16 04:13:09 · 14 answers · asked by Linda B 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Gear shavings are just that... little bits of metal that come off as the gears engage and rub together.
A little is normal, a lot can be a sign of serious trouble ahead. I have an old Jeep and I learned to drive a stick on it and my mechanic dropped the trans pan a few times to clean out the filings until I stopped grinding gears. But it still runs great, no problem. I have the front and rear differentials drained every other year to get fresh, shaving-free, oil put in.
Sounds like Goodyear is just trying to upsell your service. All of the Service Managers at those chain repair places are salesmen, the more they find "wrong" the better their bonus. For oil changes and routine maintenance those places are great, for a real mechanical repair I suggest a local mechanic who can learn your car and its idiosyncrasies... it'll save you a lot of money in the long run.
2006-08-16 04:29:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Metal shavings in your oil is not good. It means that metal parts are wearing away aggressively. How much and for how long will determine the time before catastrophic failure. Yeah, could mean dead on the side of the road, or not.
If you have a standard transmission, it is possible that when it goes, you may only loose one gear, but who knows.
Note that it is normal to see some "sheen" in gear oil from tiny little metal particles that wear off. Shavings are not normal.
Metal shavings in the rear end or engine oil pan are also bad.
If you do not trust the shop, get a second opinion from another mechanic or shop.
Otherwise, it is going to be time to decide whether to fix the old truck, or replace it.
How old is it and in what general condition? What will it cost to fix this problem, and what other problems are looming close? It can be more cost effective to replace an old junker than start dumping lots of money into it.
Been there and done that with an old truck.
2006-08-16 11:29:51 · answer #2 · answered by Steve Wood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is in your gear oil, then you are probably refering to your rear axle or front axle. Since the rear takes most of the load, that is probably where the shavings are at. But this is definetly not good. That means that your parts are wearing in your rear axle and are not long for the world. Best thing is to change out the old oil right away. The more shavings floating around in there, the faster the rear will go. But what is happening is the ring gear and the pinion gear are rubbing against each other and creating these shavings. It is only a matter of time before one of them breaks from the wear. Be prepared to replace this soon if you drive it often.
2006-08-16 11:20:52 · answer #3 · answered by Zef_66 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude!? Where's 3rd gear!?
Check a local salvage yard. You can get parts for old trucks there. You will need either a new diffrential or manual transmission assembly (gears, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, etc.). If you got to the point of the gears grinding each other down, then most of these parts will need to be replaced. If you like the truck and aren't afraid of getting greasy (and a have a friend to help lift/hold in place) this is a fun weekend job.
Don't drink too much beer until after you have it bolted in place!
2006-08-16 11:26:50 · answer #4 · answered by IknowNothing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it in the rear differential or in a straight drive transmission.
Either way, you will probably have to have them fixed. The "shavings" come from normal wear and tear over time on any vehicle. It pays to make sure everything stays properly lubricated in the vehicle, not just changing the oil every 3,000 miles
2006-08-16 11:28:41 · answer #5 · answered by pipi08_2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go by how many miles that it been driven every vehicle going to have shaving in gears of both rear end and transmission only time to worry is when you can't put it into gear and drive off .
2006-08-16 11:23:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The teeth on the gears are chewing pieces of metal out of each other as they mesh. These peices get in between the teeth on the
next cycle and make it worse. Replace the oil, and try a
thicker, heavier, oil with more surface tension properties. There
are additives that help as well available in most auto stores.
2006-08-16 11:22:50 · answer #7 · answered by robert g 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have "shavings" in the crankcase, you have burnt the bearings, either rods or mains. At anyrate, you are looking at an over haul of the lower end of the engine. Depending on the year, condition, mileage, ect... it would probably be better to to order a "Long Block" from the local parts store, your choice and install it or have it installed
2006-08-16 11:22:12 · answer #8 · answered by monroelunld00 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gear shavings are small particles of metal that come from moving parts as they start to wear out.
2006-08-16 11:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by smoke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Metal shavings. Rear end? Probably won't be long and you will hear noises. If it's in the oil pan of engine....NOT GOOD at all.
2006-08-16 11:18:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋