Rear differential repair/replace?

[wcrisler]

The rear differential on my '97 Tahoe (5.7, 4wd, 3.73) has finally scrambled itself after 262,000 miles. The shop I took it to quoted me $1500 approx. for a used replacement one, plus install charges of around $500. Is there a less expensive way to do this? Can't it be rebuilt with a less expensive kit? I have never worked on this part of the car and doing it myself is iffy. Any advice?

 

[lummy]

changing the gears is complicated and is best left to a pro.

However, changing the whole axle is pretty easy and a lot cheaper. Junk yards typically sell them for 5-700 depending on where you live. If you have craigslist in your area, there's good deals to be found there.

I haven't done it on my Hoe, but have on my s10 blazer. The hardest part is changing the emergency brake cable. I do have a 6 lug 14b SF axle in my garage that I plan to swap some day soon tho

Things to look for are A) year of axle. NBS axles have the spring perches in different locations than OBS. b) Gear ratio needs to match the old if you're a 4wd c) 4wd axles are wider than 2wd. To be sure, take a measurement from the brake mounting plate to opposite brake mounting plate on the old and match it d) when buying one, pop off the rear cover and check the gear teeth. Make sure they aren't worn, especially the spider gears.

 

[SunlitComet]

The rear differential on my '97 Tahoe (5.7, 4wd, 3.73) has finally scrambled itself after 262,000 miles. The shop I took it to quoted me $1500 approx. for a used replacement one, plus install charges of around $500. Is there a less expensive way to do this? Can't it be rebuilt with a less expensive kit? I have never worked on this part of the car and doing it myself is iffy. Any advice?

What a ripoff! Tell that shop to shove it.

 

[ezdaar]

Its very easy to rebuild a rear end... Only special tools you need is a dial guage and a magnetic base to check ring gear run out..

Northern tool can get you one for like 30$
buy a master rebuild kit, and tear that baby down...
Theres thousands of videos on how to adjust ring and pinion correctly on you tube...

Your first time shouldnt take you more than 4 hours.. after than you will beable to do it in a hour.

dont see you spending more than 400$

 

[wcrisler]

What's the best kit to buy?