Quote:
Originally Posted by sovamind
I have a 2007 Limited with 156,000 miles on it.
My rear differential has been making a warbling noise for a while and because I have an upcoming long trip coming up I decided to have it look at by the local dealership. They came up with a $3800 bill! They want to replace the entire differential assembly as well as the rear wheel bearings on each side. They said they do not rebuild differentials and will not replace only the seals/bearings that are bad. They are also saying that because the truck has "high mileage" that I should replace everything anyway.
I can't feel any physical play in the wheels or the pinion and the noise isn't very loud. I've already put new gear oil in which helped it a bit (old stuff was very black and nasty). I'll have money to throw at this problem a little later, but I don't have much time or money to deal with it now (before trip). I'm wondering if this is good to keep driving for now and instead replace the diff with a locking option in a month or so.
Anyone know the cost difference to rebuilding the factory differential vs replacing it with an aftermarket that adds locking? Can you even do a locking option with a 4th generation that has ABS based traction control?
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My 2007 rear started the same thing last summer at 150k.
If you just need a differential you can pick up a used one at the junk yard.
I ordered one from a 4runner with under 80k for 225 shipped to my door from a auto yard in Reno. Search Car-Pat.com or call a local yard GX470/FJ 07-09 with-out the lockers will work. Took me ~3 hours to swap it, most of the time was wasted getting a gasket from the auto store because the dealership gave me the wrong gasket.
You don't need to replace the wheel bearings till they go bad. Again you can pick up 4runner/fj/gx470 rear axle shafts from the junk yard for 150 bucks.
If you need helping doing the work, join the local clubs on facebook: pdx overland and pnw expedition, they have wrenching days at the DIY auto repair in Tigard (GearHead Garage). Or you can rent time there yourself.
Another option is to find a whole axle from a FJ 2007-2009 with a locker its a direct fit. You can buy wire kits for the electric lockers off the webs, give it a google.
You can also swap in a 5th Gen Axle i got a quote for one from G & R Wreckers in Portland for 1200 for the axle with everything attached last summer it wont be a direct swap (shock holes are a different size ect). Wheel speed sensor wires are the same and so are the brake lines. Nitro was selling 5th gen axle for 4th gens last summer, but i don't see that now.
The final option is to pick up a differential with a locker from 07-09 FJ and modify you Axle housing.
Or go the ARB (after market locker route). Check with the facebook groups for local recommendation, there is a place in wilsonville/sherwood i can't remember the name that seems to get the most thumbs up.
Best of luck