Need Advice wanting to buy a used rear differential

[xploderRB]

I have an 02 eddie baurer 4x4 and the rear end is sloppy and the clutch packs are slipping.

I started this thread over in the Explorer & Ranger Transmissions, Transfer Cases, & Differentials section about the problems my X is having. I don't feel comfortable with taking my diff apart and trying to fix it but if do feel comfortable with swapping out the pumpkin.http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214564

I came across a used rear diff on craigslist.

I have not got a price yet but person told me it was good and came off a totaled 02 X. He claims the miles were low. Of course I'm taking all this with a grain of salt.

So my questions are:

Is there a way to tell if this rearend is any good before putting it in my X?

How much would you pay for a used differential?

What else should i look out for?

Thanks

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

I'm leary of anything I see on craigslist. They don't have the recourse or accountability of users like eBay does, so it's pretty much buyer beware.

You can feel out the market on what used ones are going for in the salvage yards by visiting www.car-part.com and seeing what's available.

There's not much way to know if the replacement is going to whine or have other problems until you install it, typically. That's why I buy my used parts from a reputable salvage yard that stands behind what they sell. You can lots of times even get labor reimbursed if a part fails under the duration of the warranty. If my salvage yard says something is #1 condition, it almost always is.

 

[techieman33]

After reading about all of the problems with the diffs in the 02 model year I wouldn't touch one, I'd try looking for one out of something newer, but I'm not sure what other years of diff will fit for sure so hopefully someone can chime in with an answer.

 

[JCR]

After you go through all that it takes to pull the rear from your explorer, you might as well just have it rebuilt. You will be much further ahead than messing with possible problems someone else sells you.

 

[Thelt]

After you go through all that it takes to pull the rear from your explorer, you might as well just have it rebuilt. You will be much further ahead than messing with possible problems someone else sells you.

How much does a rebuild typically cost?