I was changing rear differential fluid the other day and after pulling the pan off and draining the fluid I noticed a bunch of gray grease ont he bottom of the differential housing. The gray grease was on top of something that felt like a little grill. I didn't clean it out because I thought that the greas suppsosed to catch metal particles or something on the bottom. What was it? Should I clean it out?

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05 Liberty 4x4, Atlantic Blue
Extended Breathers
3/4 Mopar Skids
OME Lift, 245/75/16 General Grabbers AT2, ProComp Extreme Alloys 7189
Mopar Tow Hooks

It WAS metal particles. That is normal though especially if this is your first change.

That little thing you felt is a magnet and the grey stuff was tiny metal pieces stuck to the magnet... you should clean it out.

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06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

Yea, its usually best to clean those off but it should be ok. As long as its fine metal and no chunks then its normal.

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As said above, Normal. The first change will usually show the most wear particles as the gears seat together in those first few thousand miles. If you are running a good, full synthetic, diff lube you should not see as much (or None) wear particles in subsequent changes unless there are gear problems (fairly uncommon w/ factory set up gears) which would also possibly be accompanied by gear whine noises, etc.

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