[ERA174]

An easy way to gauge the health of your rear differential is to draw a sample of the lube and have it analyzed. Draw the sample after taking the vehicle for a ride to warm up the lube and suspend any contamination for sampling. I don’t know who in the UK performs this service, a Google search should reveal companies who perform this service in your area. I use Blackstone-labs.com here in the USA, the cost is approximately $30usd. If the lube in your differential has not seen sufficient use, analysis may not reveal a problem, even though you may have one. If the lube has been in use for at least a few thousand miles, the lube will probably be contaminated with the remnants of any components wearing excessively. If with sufficient use the sample doesn’t show any contamination to indicate a problem, don’t worry, you’re probably good to motor on.