Rear Diff Abuse?

[4boer2]

Hello all, I took my car in for a diag the other day and the tech recommend a new carrier assembly. I'm not asking whether or not I should regear or put a locker in it, but rather what could have caused this? It's a 2012 SR5 with 130k. I have a slight lift and 33s. Is it the lift, tires, towing, off-roading, twisty roads, doughnuts in the snow, or...? I would say I've gone on a gnarly trail or two, but when I wheel I'm not the one to floor it and cause a scene. Needless to say I'm a little bummed about this. Has anyone else had a worn differential?

 

[jhguth]

what did the fluid look like?

 

[4boer2]

what did the fluid look like?

I didn't see it myself, but the tech said it looked new. That's because it is, I changed it myself 1 year/20k ago.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Have them look at the bearing, then move onto the differential if the noise persists. Start with $ then go to $$$$$$