harmful to 2WD diff to run offsized diameter tires?

[levi]

And by offsize I mean more than a 2" difference in diameter in the rear.

I have 28" all around, and picked up a rear flat.
Spare 28" was also flat.
Only thing available was a stock sized 25.65, almost 2.5 over.

Not sure if that would be okay with the diff so I went through the process of switching out front and rear.
But I'm wondering, would that cause damage?
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[Love My Westy]

Isn't that what a differential is all about, to allow the two sides to spin at different speeds? Kind of like turning in a circle. I don't think there should be any problem. I'm not a mechanic, but a 2WD Vanagon doesn't have a VC or a locking differential. What happens when you loose traction and one wheel spins? I don't think there is any harm to the differential, again, that's what it is designed to do. I don't know what would happen with a limited slip differential.

[Syncromikey]

Yup the diff is made to adjust the speed of the tires when turning corners which is a short period of time and is typically a small around of change. Here you're looking at 10 percent over a constant time. The diff isn't meant to handle that. If you're just running it for a very short period to get you to a place to fix a flat then ok but if you are thinking about running it for extended periods I would definitely NOT do it. Personally I wouldn't even put a warn tire on one side and a new one on the other and run it constantly. This is just talking about issues regarding the diff. There are safety and control concerns when running different sized tires as well. It's your call but I wouldn't do it.

Mike
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[rubbachicken]

short term it should be OK, but you should change it ASAP
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[Jake de Villiers]

What they said: the spider gears will be in constant motion, which they aren't designed to do. They'll get really hot, for one thing, and that ain't good.
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[IdahoDoug]

Switch it out for safety whenever you can, but X3 it was right to move it to the front vs heat stress on the rear differential.

DougM
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[Crankey]

I'd go to my nearest convenience store and get a can of fix-a-flat and then straight to the tire store for a proper fix.

seems like a lot easier than changing wheels around and risking damage

[levi]

Thanks guys,I know nothing about this part of the van, so I appreciate all the thoughts on this.

By the way, fixing the flat was not an option, since it was in the sidewall.
End of that tire, which was too bad since it was only about 3 months old.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40