its part of a lsd clutch retaining clip. Regeared my brothers dakota a few weeks back and had a couple of parts just like yours, the retaining clips had broken. Came to the conclusion that no friction modifier was added at a prior service and cause the problems. the clips come with new clutch disks

 

You can buy just the the clips. I think theyre like 10 bucks. They're 80 with the clutches.

 

Alright, then without it.... it will basically behave like an open diff?

 

and possibly munch up other parts in the diff....... right now, it's cheap, later on, it won't be......

 

Point taken, I'll get to it asap. Any idea how one with no differential experience would go about replacing the clip? I'm guessing removal of the carrier is necessary (?)

 

According to popular theory, you can rebuild your LSD, without removing the carrier. Have you grabbed the factory service manual from the FAQ section yet? If you haven't, do so now, and read thru the procedure a couple times. See what it has to say. (I haven't looked, it will may tell you to remove the carrier, whether you actually need to or not. might also look online, and see if someone hasn't written something up on it yet. Wouldn't surprise me if you didn't find a couple.)

 

It calls for removal. I'll look around for an alternative. Thanks for the help guys; I'll post some more info when I get time to rebuild the clutches.

 

I would try it without removing it.... and see if it's possible. If it isn't, just pull it, and pay careful attention to how it comes apart...... and reassemble it exactly the same way.

If it has the funky screw type adjusters on the carrier bearings for backlash adjustment though..... might wanna either have someone with the right stuff help you, or, pay someone else to do it.....

 

Yeah it has to come out. The guy that did my gears says he's dine a bunch and theyre a pita.

 

So much for that thought eh? Damn.