New here. I have a new to me 98 4x4 ranger 7.5 diff 3.73 gears. When I went to change the diff fluid I saw that the cross pin shaft was broken at one end and chewed up at both ends. I can't figure out how this could happen. I have the diff out and the gears look OK but there was lots of metal in the oil. How much do go diff's go at a wrecker or I could just replace the center pin. If I replace the center pin can anyone post what the play on the spider gears and carrier case. I only drive the truck 5000KM a year so don't want to spend to much on it. My other question is on the front diff, can you get the cover off easy enough or do most guys just suck the oil out the fill plug? Thanks in advance

 

There's supposed to be a bolt in there,a small one insert from the side 90 degrees from that center pin that holds the pin in place. Has an 8 mm hex head if I recall correctly. I dont see it in the image you provided so it's either on the other side of the diff (you would roll it over to see it) or it ejected completely and is down in the bottom of the housing. Hard to say from the photos but likely there is damage to the pinion and ring gear. Even if u can get that pin out and replace it I wouldn't want to count on that rear end for long. If the gears aren't gacked then all that metal has contaminated the bearings (axle/wheel bearings included) and they are probably all pitted or will be soon.

If you can swing it, I'd swap the whole thing case and all for an 8.8

 

Tha'ts the funny thing, the crosspin bolt was still there but bent a bit. I had to straighten it before I could get it out The crosspin somehow broke at the bolt hole. No idea how that could ever happen. Anyways I ordered a new crosspin and shim kits. There was .015 play int the carrier. Gears and carrier bearings looked OK. Cleaned it up took the play out of the carrier and set the backlash. I am just going to monitor it and see how it goes.