jpoprock
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2007
- Messages
- 134
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Kokomo, IN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer Limited
Hey guys... my diff is roaring like crazy. Sounds horrible. Replaced the hubs, so it's not those. My mechanic said he checked the diff oil and there was plenty, but there was metal present. He said it's hard to know what is wrong without taking it apart.
I need to spend as little as possible because I don't have it to spend at all to begin with.
I wish I could narrow down what could be making the sound. It's worse at low speeds. It's higher pitched at 60mph. It disappears for a second sometimes if you take your foot off the gas. It's present with or without OD on.
He thinks it could just be the side bearings. But if it's the Ring and Pinion, that is bad and costly. If it's just the bearings... then that isn't such a huge deal.
He suggested for my needs, I buy a used diff from LKQ. The labor charge won't be as bad as a rebuild, and they offer a 6 month warranty. I can get a used diff with a 100K miles on it and warranty for $550 shipped.
The question is, there really isn't a way to know if I can save money by buying a bearing rebuild kit vs putting in a used diff ... because the only way to know is to tear the thing apart anyway right? He said that's why he suggested the used diff. Because a diff can turn into a "while you're in there" part quickly.
I want to invest as little as possible as I only need about another 90K miles out of this vehicle. It's got 225K on it now, new hubs, rebuilt tranny, and runs like a top, doesn't use oil and it's in good shape. But I can't afford to have it start nickel and diming me to death now. I do need a new upper ball joint on the drivers side, and one other thing fixed and it would be structurally sound.
I need the best decision, for the least amount of money spent, and I need this vehicle to last me another year or two before it's retired to being a back up vehicle.
Thanks!
I need to spend as little as possible because I don't have it to spend at all to begin with.
I wish I could narrow down what could be making the sound. It's worse at low speeds. It's higher pitched at 60mph. It disappears for a second sometimes if you take your foot off the gas. It's present with or without OD on.
He thinks it could just be the side bearings. But if it's the Ring and Pinion, that is bad and costly. If it's just the bearings... then that isn't such a huge deal.
He suggested for my needs, I buy a used diff from LKQ. The labor charge won't be as bad as a rebuild, and they offer a 6 month warranty. I can get a used diff with a 100K miles on it and warranty for $550 shipped.
The question is, there really isn't a way to know if I can save money by buying a bearing rebuild kit vs putting in a used diff ... because the only way to know is to tear the thing apart anyway right? He said that's why he suggested the used diff. Because a diff can turn into a "while you're in there" part quickly.
I want to invest as little as possible as I only need about another 90K miles out of this vehicle. It's got 225K on it now, new hubs, rebuilt tranny, and runs like a top, doesn't use oil and it's in good shape. But I can't afford to have it start nickel and diming me to death now. I do need a new upper ball joint on the drivers side, and one other thing fixed and it would be structurally sound.
I need the best decision, for the least amount of money spent, and I need this vehicle to last me another year or two before it's retired to being a back up vehicle.
Thanks!