ring & pinion?

Please help:

I have a 96 Discovery, 4.0, AT, NAS.

While traveling down the highway at 25 MPH I heard and unsettling noise from
the rear. I immediately hit the brakes and threw the car in neutral as the
diff made a LOUD clunk. I put the car back in drive and heard some grinding.
Not good.

Actuated the diff lock and limped home. I did not hear any more grinding for
the rest of the ride.

I was able to get the diff off the car and low an behold the planetary gears
took a crap. After a complete inspection...

The ring appears to be in good shape, no missing or mangled teeth. The
pinion on the other hand and 5 chipped teeth, not too bad just a little at
the top where it makes contact on the inside of the ring. Again... the ring
is in good shape no teeth missing.

Questions:

Should I replace the pinion? I can see if it was worse, but... I don't want
to be in this predicament later.

Locker, LSD or stock? I am a moderate off roader and it only makes sense to
upgrade to a locker at this point. I am to understand that the Detroit
locker is far stronger than stock. I have a LSD in the front already with no
problems.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

"Jack Kerouac" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:WIvie.8191$E05.2991@trndny09...
> Please help:
>
> I have a 96 Discovery, 4.0, AT, NAS.
>
> While traveling down the highway at 25 MPH I heard and unsettling noise
> from
> the rear. I immediately hit the brakes and threw the car in neutral as the
> diff made a LOUD clunk. I put the car back in drive and heard some
> grinding.
> Not good.
>
> Actuated the diff lock and limped home. I did not hear any more grinding
> for
> the rest of the ride.
>
> I was able to get the diff off the car and low an behold the planetary
> gears
> took a crap. After a complete inspection...
>
> The ring appears to be in good shape, no missing or mangled teeth. The
> pinion on the other hand and 5 chipped teeth, not too bad just a little at
> the top where it makes contact on the inside of the ring. Again... the
> ring
> is in good shape no teeth missing.
>
> Questions:
>
> Should I replace the pinion? I can see if it was worse, but... I don't
> want
> to be in this predicament later.
>
> Locker, LSD or stock? I am a moderate off roader and it only makes sense
> to
> upgrade to a locker at this point. I am to understand that the Detroit
> locker is far stronger than stock. I have a LSD in the front already with
> no
> problems.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks.
>

I think you already answered your own question.
You should replace the whole diff. Guessing that you're not in the UK I'd go
for whatever after market locking diff is available in your country. It'll
probably be cheaper than buying a new stock unit.

Simon H