Front diff has some major problems...what should I start doing?

[Derick]

This one from RA is $753.79 plus $400 core charge

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8805384&cc=1380372&jsn=1045&jsn=1045

Hmm two year warranty....

 

[Rocket Man]

RA has some pretty good deals/ warranties on rebuilt diffs, tc’s, trans etc.

 

[George B]

I have researched this subject a bit. The one from Rock auto is likely to be my choice. The warranty and price look pretty good to me. I know ATP and Jasper also do remans but on the ATP you need to swap over your stub shafts. Not sure on the jasper but I know the price is up there.

I have considered a salvage yard unit tho too.

 

[Doubeleive]

economy choice- junkyard, just look for one that looks like it may have been resealed already I wouldn't worry about the axles those are cheap if one needed to be done later
most junkyards will give you at least a little warranty so if it happens to be bad out of the gate no big deal

 

[Derick]

ive already got brand new CVs on.

 

[George B]

Did some more shopping around. Around here a used one will cost around $450.00 with a 6 month warranty. The one from RockAuto is a 2 year or 12,000 mile warranty for $736.00.

If I was sending it down the road I would do a junk yard but if keeping it I would do the rock auto one.

 

[thompsoj22]

economy choice- junkyard, just look for one that looks like it may have been resealed already I wouldn't worry about the axles those are cheap if one needed to be done later
most junkyards will give you at least a little warranty so if it happens to be bad out of the gate no big deal

where do you source "cheap" axles? How cheap? Do you think they would last 100k miles? Im in, cause oem are mucho denaro $$$$$$

 

[thompsoj22]

economy choice- junkyard, just look for one that looks like it may have been resealed already I wouldn't worry about the axles those are cheap if one needed to be done later
most junkyards will give you at least a little warranty so if it happens to be bad out of the gate no big deal

 

[Doubeleive]

where do you source "cheap" axles? How cheap? Do you think they would last 100k miles? Im in, cause oem are mucho denaro $$$$$$

new oem ones are $259 at rockauto, $57 for a re-manufactured cardone with lifetime warranty
the oem ones on my 00 never had to be replaced and I drove the literal piss out of it past 300k

 

[Linderov]

So, I listed the burb. I cant stop throwing money into a hole in the ground. The damned of it now is that it's running pretty well. No exhaust noise, motor seems smooth as silk, trans is fine. The body is right at the edge of erupting, which is sad...

Last year I did a oil change of the front diff, and it was a metal slurry in there.

I change it again last weekend when I did the hub/bearing installed...and it's more metal.

I have no noise or problematic symptons....yet. So what should I plan to do with the diff? Should i source one from a junkyard, are there rebuild kits? Obviously, thriftiness is core here.

If you can drive something else while the truck is in for repairs, financially it will never make sense to buy another truck. Do the math on the cost of the new vehicle compared to these repairs and you will see. If you like this, then just fix it. Math says never sell a vehicle that suits you needs. Literally anything can be fixed, unless of course it is in a wreck.

Also be sure to include insurance costs for the new vehicle, and body work, interior upgrades to keep your truck decent.

I did a spreadsheet on my truck after some expensive repairs and it was really quite clear I should get a Mustang convertible with the money I saved!!!

 

[Derick]

Well seeing the posts about the front diff at RA for 750 bucks is really the way to go. Not nearly the major expense I was expecting.

What disappoints me is that the body is starting to go down hill. So, I'll have to determine what I want to do in that regard. Fight a losing battle, or just lean into the rust rot.