My 87 has a plethora of issues brakes, ball joints, shocks, tranny leaks, and worst of all in FL the AC is shot. So for now its parked and will be used in off road capacity only since our cool weather time is pretty much over.

So I found this on CL for 2200. Got only one issue. A noisy roaring rear diff. Going to shop to see what all needs replace repair. Everything else a A OK, blows ice cold from the AC and motor purrs like a kitten.

I do need service and owners manual if there is a link that works out there.

Got the 2001 back from the shop. Junkyard Diff with 140K 260 bucks shipped. 270 bucks install and a couple seals. Not too bad.

Nice tight running vehicle. It's got a little road noise and the ride is pretty stiff, but I like it that way.

Next issue 4X4. It shifted into low range for sure, but not sure if the 4x4 kicked in or not. Lights on dash console 4x4 display are screwed up. the middle orange light just blinked when I shifted out of 2high. Need help on this one and a owners manual so I can figure it out.

Would be nice to know I got 4WD working "before" I drive off in that big mudhole. Yes we have some official mudholes back after many many years of drought here in north FL.

Search for my post from a year ago on the rear diff. Pre-2005 ones are at risk. Mine was the first reported here, now yours. Many reports from down under. You are looking at $200 for the revised parts to insure it doesn't happen again. If you wheel, I would do it...

You gotta get in touch with me if'n you're back. We had a little gathering last month, would love to get you in mix.

Might trust this one to go outside my 100 mile AAA tow limit. It might even be able to tow the 87 along with it.

Too late to put any parts in the new junkyard diff. That puppy is installed and I have driven it a few days around town. So far so good.

4X4 is the biggie right now. Gonna try and test it this weekend. Hope its just dashboard lights screwed up and all 4 wheels dig in and go when I need em.

Found your post. I'm gonna check into this. What part am I looking for?

Update
I found a good number of threads on this from down under. Then looking at ASA there is a new part number for the rear stub shafts.

Seems the new part has a bigger groove for the circlip and then a bigger clip to match. I called the dealer to infomr himn of this and to say that regardless of how it pans out with the warranty company, I want to get the new shafts.

Given them history of the problem, I am not quite as worried about the situation. Stinks for the warranty company, but that's their business. They can take it up with MM if they don't like having to fix faulty parts of theirs.


NOTE TO GEN III OWNERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WHEEL:
The factory chage to the new part seems to be some time in 2005. If you have an older year, consider making the change. The stub shafts should be easy to swap. Four bolts to the half shafts, swing them out of the way, and yank out the stubs. (Drain the diff first of course.) Online pricing is $75-80 per shaft.