Finding Qualified Differential Rebuilding Shop?

[EddieC]

So, after confirming that our '08 Tahoe differential (and axle bearing) are going south, finding qualified shop or mechanic to rebuild the assembly is proving difficult. Anyone have some suggestions for southern New England, CT, MA, RI?
Junkyard replacements have twice my mileage and seem to be made of gold so it seems a better long term solution is finding a knowledgeable shop.
Anyone know of any?

 

[swathdiver]

So, after confirming that our '08 Tahoe differential (and axle bearing) are going south, finding qualified shop or mechanic to rebuild the assembly is proving difficult. Anyone have some suggestions for southern New England, CT, MA, RI?
Junkyard replacements have twice my mileage and seem to be made of gold so it seems a better long term solution is finding a knowledgeable shop.
Anyone know of any?

I'm thinking of something else, what gear ratio do you have? How many miles on the truck? What are you looking to spend?

Right now, I see a bunch on LKQOnline up your way from under $300 to $575 for a 9.5" 14-bolt with 85K miles. Most folks don't know that the RWD Escalade and Denali 14-Bolt axles bolt right up and can often be had for a song. Most 10 and 14 bolts are 3.42 gears, some are 3.08 and they are real proud of them! Yours might have 3.73s or 4.10s.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

If you don't get the bearings replaced soon the metal in the fluid will eat up your gears. Find an older mechanic by just asking around. The bearings are sold in a service pack, it's the only way to go. LKQ (USED) JUNK YRDS are a gamble............they have no clue if it's noisy or not. If your ring/pinion are ok, your looking @ $1050.00 parts and labor give or take a few $$. Dealerships are worth asking in the shop if anyone likes a side job, just casually walk in the shop and strike up conversation. If you ask the service mgr you will get no where, just use some common sense. good luck to yah.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Forgot my Hoe............227,000 miles

 

[EddieC]

I'm thinking of something else, what gear ratio do you have? How many miles on the truck? What are you looking to spend?

Right now, I see a bunch on LKQOnline up your way from under $300 to $575 for a 9.5" 14-bolt with 85K miles. Most folks don't know that the RWD Escalade and Denali 14-Bolt axles bolt right up and can often be had for a song. Most 10 and 14 bolts are 3.42 gears, some are 3.08 and they are real proud of them! Yours might have 3.73s or 4.10s.

3.73, G80, GT-4, 10 bolt, 99,000.
General repair shop (not rebuilder) found used repacement listings on line for $1300 (part only) and up with lowest milage at 85,000. Spending that kind of money on a junker that might not out live ours is not making sense to me if we are in for the long haul.

 

[EddieC]

If you don't get the bearings replaced soon the metal in the fluid will eat up your gears. Find an older mechanic by just asking around. The bearings are sold in a service pack, it's the only way to go. LKQ (USED) JUNK YRDS are a gamble............they have no clue if it's noisy or not. If your ring/pinion are ok, your looking @ $1050.00 parts and labor give or take a few $$. Dealerships are worth asking in the shop if anyone likes a side job, just casually walk in the shop and strike up conversation. If you ask the service mgr you will get no where, just use some common sense. good luck to yah.

I am presuming that everything may be damaged or worn and have accepted that.

The only current lead quoted $1600 for providing and replacing everything in there but is set on Yukon Duragrip. I am thinking I like what GM chose, the G80 or a True Trac so that starts a new search.

I've been trying to ask around but the leads so far turned out to be for places like used car lots and the likes. I don't think so...

Around here the dealer shop is isolated from the customer areas and mingling is frowned on if not prohibited.... something to do with insurance.

Perhaps 4x4 or speed shops might be a source of help.

 

[Geotrash]

I am presuming that everything may be damaged or worn and have accepted that.

The only current lead quoted $1600 for providing and replacing everything in there but is set on Yukon Duragrip. I am thinking I like what GM chose, the G80 or a True Grip so that starts a new search.

I've been trying to ask around but the leads so far turned out to be for places like used car lots and the likes. I don't think so...

Around here the dealer shop is isolated from the customer areas and mingling is frowned on if not prohibited.... something to do with insurance.

Perhaps 4x4 or speed shops might be a source of help.

Yes. A good 4x4 shop should be able to help. Even some transmission shops will do diff work.

 

[swathdiver]

3.73, G80, GT-4, 10 bolt, 99,000.
General repair shop (not rebuilder) found used repacement listings on line for $1300 (part only) and up with lowest milage at 85,000. Spending that kind of money on a junker that might not out live ours is not making sense to me if we are in for the long haul.

$1300 is after them tripling the markup. The LKQ ones come with a warranty if you are concerned about them. I bought one but have not put it in yet, it makes no noise and moves freely. I'm all for guys making money but don't want to bear the brunt of putting their kids through college!

If you are even remotely mechanically inclined and do not have to replace the ring and pinion gears, you can make this repair yourself in the driveway. My daughters and I have done it before. If I didn't trust anyone, I'd take it to the dealer.

 

[Bill 1960]

I'm thinking of something else, what gear ratio do you have? How many miles on the truck? What are you looking to spend?

Right now, I see a bunch on LKQOnline up your way from under $300 to $575 for a 9.5" 14-bolt with 85K miles. Most folks don't know that the RWD Escalade and Denali 14-Bolt axles bolt right up and can often be had for a song. Most 10 and 14 bolts are 3.42 gears, some are 3.08 and they are real proud of them! Yours might have 3.73s or 4.10s.

This. Even if you pay a few hours of shop time for installation you’ll end up with an upgraded axle that will last a lifetime.

If you prefer to rebuild your existing housing, look for shops catering to 4x4 or lifted trucks or people into drag racing. Those are the communities into regearing and replacing differentials. Stock vehicles rarely need a diff repair so most shops hardly ever do it. You want a shop that specializes.

And if you buy a new diff, replace the G80 with an Eaton Tru-Trac. There’s been much written about all the reasons why.

 

[EddieC]

This. Even if you pay a few hours of shop time for installation you’ll end up with an upgraded axle that will last a lifetime.

If you prefer to rebuild your existing housing, look for shops catering to 4x4 or lifted trucks or people into drag racing. Those are the communities into regearing and replacing differentials. Stock vehicles rarely need a diff repair so most shops hardly ever do it. You want a shop that specializes.

And if you buy a new diff, replace the G80 with an Eaton Tru-Trac. There’s been much written about all the reasons why.

Yes, I have been gravitating to TrueTrac based solely on reading. I can't fault the G80 but it sounds like a good alternative.
I've started looking into 4x4 shops. Not much formal drag racing around here since the track left our state long ago.