Contact: Differential Rebuild

[99XSP]

I hope this is the right place to post this, if not, the admins will move it, right?

Well, mine is making a kind of grinding noise. I took it to the shop, and they told me the front and rear differential need to be overhauled.

I was told by a buddy of mine that there is a shop in Mishawaka, IN, the guy does engines, transmissions, differentials and transfer cases, and did rebuild his one already.

So I took it there, and was pleased with the treatment. Basically, an overhaul of the rear differential costs me $800, with lifetime warranty, no mileage limitation. If it ever leaks, fails, etc. etc., they redo it for free. He said I could save $100 if cheaper replacement parts were used, but then the warranty is only 1 year.

I currently have the rear one rebuild, and then we have to see how bad the damage to the front is. I have the ControlTrac system, and when I got the car, it was driven in 4WDHigh, no wonder it will eat up the system.

I was told the front differential is aluminum, and should be taken care of soon. The current quote is around $1,200, but he will replace the lower ball joints and control arm bushings for free, I just have to pay for the parts.

Hope this helps, maybe someone in a similar position like me. I can either drive it with the bad noise till it dies (which would be stupid), sell it for little money, or invest and have it working proper.

With a lifetime warranty, I think I'm safe. Plus, it's fully transferable to the new owner. The shop has been in business for over 20 years.

Greetings!

 

[unclemeat]

$800 for a rear sounds a little high, but if he did seals and axle bearings the price would be justified. If you want save money on the front a junkyard differential might work well.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I'd get a junkyard diffy and swap it in. I'd say the swap could be done on a Saturday by the average person with a few odd tools. Junkyards in my area charge $200 for front diffys. Do it yourself and save $1000.

It's odd though that the diagnosis is front and rear differentials are bad- they usually last the life of a vehicle.

 

[99XSP]

Yes, but how good is a junkyard differential? It all depends on year and mileage, but also on how it was treated.

Driving it in 4WD on dry roads, it will wear it out. Besides, I'm not a real handy man. Minor things, bolt on/off, yes, but everything else I let someone else do.

Now, the "damage" is mainly worn seals and bearings. The shop showed me pictures, some parts looked pretty bad. But hey said that the "hard" parts were not damaged yet.

The noise was pretty bad. The car was on the lift, engaged in gear. Bad grinding noise coming from the rear differential. And it was leaking too.

Sure, if I have someone somehow close who can get me a decent front one and swap it, I'd certainly would consider that. Haven't found anyone yet.

I completely agree with what you guys said. I can drive a long way for $1,000 I might save. But I have to rely on someone getting a decent part and putting it in.

Greetings!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

What you said is very true, but with proper inspection a good, reliable low mileage differential could last you a long time. I wish you were nearer to me, I'd do the work for $500-$600, we would both be ahead.

Why do you drive in 4x4 on dry roads?

 

[99XSP]

Like I said, with the money I might be able to safe, I'd take it on a trip, it all depends on. I want to wait for the rear one to be done, and then go from there.

I don't drive it in 4x4, no need to. I have the ControlTrac, it does it automatically. And the 4WDHigh (and low of course) are for off road only. I would never use them on dry road, it will eventually kill the system, as it is indicated in the manual.

The previous owner probably did all the time. I just have to suffer from it, I guess.

Greetings!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Well, nonetheless, I am glad to hear you found your problem and a reputable shop to do the work. For suspension parts, I strongly and wholeheartedly suggest MOOG exclusively.

 

[Willard]

I gotta ask, if it was ran in 4 high all the time, how come the t-case isn't toast. It is my thinking it would go before the differential.

 

[99XSP]

Well, all the time, we don't know. But as posted before, if they are suppose to last that long, why are they that bad then? I guess it's just an assumption.

It does engage in 4-wheel drive fine. When I drove it to the shop, it was snowing. I forced the rear wheels to spin to see what was happening, and noticed the engagement and front wheels pulling as well (from a complete stop). I did not notice any unusual noise or something like that.

I guess I have to run across an experienced Explorist to check it out. Sure, the shop seems to know what they are doing, one of you guys might find something entirely different (hopefully not being wrong LOL).

I greatly appreciate the input. I will certainly not spend the money for the front one, till someone else looked at it. Just have to find the "right" one, and I'm not talking about my neighborhood dealership. I'm rich, but not that rich. LOL

Greetings!