Changed the front differential oil in my 2000 Blazer (4button 4X4). Only a couple of tiny metal flakes but the bottom of the drain pan was covered with very fine glitter like metal dust. It has 120,000 miles, I've owned it for only 5K. I recovered just less than one quart. Refilled with GL-5. I am planning to flush it again to see if there is anymore glitter.

There is no noise from the front end and the 4X4 works fine. Appreciate your comments.

 

I guess at 120,000 miles, somesort of deposit in the gear systems is to be expected.

If there's no noise, it's probably fine; but another flush wouldn't hurt. Maybe put some higher viscosity grease in there, as it is a high mileage vehicle.

 

Changed rear oil yesterday. No problems since there is a magnet in the cover. I now suspect that all those tiny particles in the front differential would not have been suspended in the oil if a magnet was present. Hope to flush the front later today and I'm expecting to see a lot less particles.

 

Flushed the front differential and found very little shiny stuff. Still curious why there is no magnet on the drain plug.