Rear differential work needed at 98k?

[greg762]

I've got a serious sounding gear noise coming from the rear so I had the dealership give me an estimate to repair. I'm looking at $1600 to replace the pinion gears (?) in the differential, plus I need front ball joints, plugs and wires which brought the total up to $2900. My truck is a 2001 XLT 4x4 with 98k miles and has never been off road and maybe been in the snow 3 times. I change the oil every 3k, the transmission fluid & filter has been changed every 15k - 20k and I've always had all the 30k, 60k and 90k services done on time.

I would have thought the rear end would last longer than 9 years and 98k easy miles. The rest of the truck is in really nice shape and I hate to part with it but I don't feel like putting that much money into a 3rd car that doesn't get driven much. What should I do, donate it? I don't know if anybody would anything for it to have to turn around and spend a bunch of money.

Greg

 

[my pos mounty]

Hate to say it, but its typical. Your mileage is low though.
If you are going to sell the truck, why not get a local shop (not the $tealer$hip) to rebuild the diff? Or you could get a replacement from a junkyard, have it put in and then sell the truck. Replacements are pretty inexpensive due to the cash for clunkers program.
I can't believe that changing balljoints, plugs and wires, and rebuilding a diff would run $2900. Find yourself a new garage. If you lived closer to me, I would help you do this job yourself. Total cost would be under 1000.

 

[greg762]

After letting it sit for six months I've decided to get my Explorer fixed and keep it as a spare vehicle.

If money weren't a concern is it better for the long term to rebuild the vehicle's original rear end or have a mechanic install one from a junkyard? The junkyard route at a local mechanic is half of what the dealership wants but how do I know the junkyard part is any better than the one in my truck now? The mechanic said they don't know how many miles are on the part but they do open it up to make sure the internals look OK. My concern is they'll replace the original rear end that has 98k original miles with one that has 150k or more that's about to go out.

 

[rhauf]

a local shop here quoted a friend of mine $300 to rebuild his axle (in a jeep) so i think the price you were quoted was a bit steep. (granted, $300 is cheap!) that price did not include the new gears though (a ring and pinion is usually about $200)

nothing wrong with junkyard parts, but i prefer to rebuild my old stuff (then again i do it myself so its cheap)