I dont remember well but I think they may have been new. The first mechanic could not get the gear set up properly. Wrong spacing improper crush, lack of knowledge. I finally took the car from him and drove it to someone else. The gears howled and the case got hot. The second mechanic fixed it by using proper tools and knowhow. I am pretty sure he used the same gears as first mechanic since he only charged for labor and oil.

Since they were playing with the crush on the pinion gear collar, I think it must have been new gears.