Rear Diff Question

[smallfry]

Two weeks ago I took my 4runner in for safety and emissions testing and to have another noise checked out and to have another alignment done (alignment is still goofy at the whole lower ball joint failure, this is the 3rd one).

When doing the inspection the tech notice an odd sound coming from the rear end. The tech diagonics is that the bearing in the rear diff. is starting to go and should be replaced as a preventative maintenance measure. Quote for them to do the work and service the 4 wheel drive is $995.00 .

Needless to say I haven't done this yet. My question is then how do you know that the bearing in the rear diff is starting to go? Is there a particular sound or a certain feel to it? Does that price quote seem about right for this type of work? How diffifcult is it to replace the bearing?


At the beginning of this week I've started to notice some short of slippage (at least that's how it feels, seems like its coming from the rear)) when you accelator from a start then past that it's fine. Would this be caused by a bad bearing as mentioned above?

I'm starting to get a sick of the amount of $$ I've had to spend as late on this due to problems. So any advice you all could give me would be great.

 

[Singtoe]

Since you are not doing the repair, I would get a second opinion from another shop. If the diagnosis matches, then go with the cheaper of the two.

Carrier bearings make low rumbling sound and pinion bearings make a whirling sound because the spin about 4 times as fast as the carrior bearings.

If it is the carrier bearings, it is relatively easy fix. Just pull the axles, drop the diff carrier and unbolt diff from carrier. Replace bearings, re-assemble, check backlash , re-install carrier into axles and install axles.

If it is the pinion bearing, a new diff set up kit is required and needs to be reset. much harder job - needs special tools and shims and patients.

 

[J-money$$$]

Since you are not doing the repair, I would get a second opinion from another shop. If the diagnosis matches, then go with the cheaper of the two.

Carrier bearings make low rumbling sound and pinion bearings make a whirling sound because the spin about 4 times as fast as the carrior bearings.

If it is the carrier bearings, it is relatively easy fix. Just pull the axles, drop the diff carrier and unbolt diff from carrier. Replace bearings, re-assemble, check backlash , re-install carrier into axles and install axles.

If it is the pinion bearing, a new diff set up kit is required and needs to be reset. much harder job - needs special tools and shims and patients.

Still even if its a pinion bearing diff setups for gears on a toy v6 should run about $250. combine that with a master install kit $225 and that should be it. Given you remove the third member yourself.

I say get a second opinion as well. I would hate for the noise to be a muffler bearing or blinker fluid and a shop is trying to make extra money off you

 

[smallfry]

I need to give the shop a call again and find out exactly what bearing in the rear it was since I don't remember.

These are the parts the shop quoted me.

Rear Diff Bearing Kit

Crush Sleave 41231-24010
Gasket 42181-60050
Seal 90311-38047
Nut 90179-20018
In bearing 90366-35087
Out bearing 90366-30067

This is kind of a mute point at the moment. Will up on Skyline Drive tonight my 4runner shuttering, by the time I get get to the US Bank on 500 w the shuttering gets worse and the check engine light comes on. I'm going to head to O'Riley Auto Parts in the morning to use the code scanner and see what it is (I have an idea on this already.

 

[Singtoe]

Sounds like you have an engine miss. Maybe bad spark plugs or spark plug wire. The scan should be able to help you.

Can you describe the noise the rear of the 4runner is making?

 

[durrell]

My pinion bearing was shot and I was quoted over 600 dollars by a non-dealer to replace the pinion bearing. He made the comment that even after the replacement there was no guarantee the noise wouldn't return, and that he recommended getting a new diff.

Luckily Singtoe had a diff that worked, and even installed it for me. If you do narrow it down to the pinion bearing, I'd recommend just swapping out the diff rather than dumping money into one that could have more problems than you originally thought.

 

[J-money$$$]

these price quotes kill me. A pinion bearing is $100. Its not that much work. I think I should get into the diff setup business.

For $600 you can get a built third shipped to your house with all new gears and bearings from East Coast Gear Supply

 

[Nelsonmd]

For $600 you can get a built third shipped to your house with all new gears and bearings from East Coast Gear Supply

To be honest, I would do that if I had any problems. You know you are getting new parts, done right, and should last a long time, and it's only maybe 2x what you would pay for the most basic diff work at a shop. Seems worth it to me.

 

[durrell]

For $600 you can get a built third shipped to your house with all new gears and bearings from East Coast Gear Supply

Exactly. Which is what I had planned to do if I hadn't found the used diff for substantially less.

 

[smallfry]

Sounds like you have an engine miss. Maybe bad spark plugs or spark plug wire. The scan should be able to help you.

Can you describe the noise the rear of the 4runner is making?

Funny thing is it's not making a noise that I can notice.


On the miss. The wire for cylinder 3 had cracked and arching thus a cracked spark plug. So a new set of wires and plugs went in, which seems to have the solved that problem but there is still a hesitation/shutter when you come to a stop.

I'm looking though those threads now.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Funny thing is it's not making a noise that I can notice. there is still a hesitation/shutter when you come to a stop.

I'm looking though those threads now.

can you describe the hesitation shutter in more detail? if a diff bearing was freezing up enough to cause a shudder it would also be making a lot of noise. shudder hesitations sound more like a ujoint or something in the trans to me. As far as the rear 3rd goes I have to agree with Jmoney that the price is way high. Even though you have an elocker the setup is the same, and a good local shop should do that much cheaper than even 600 IMHO. I recently had a V6 rear setup done for 180 plus parts so even with new bearings you should be out for way less than 600. call around your town I got prices from 180 to over 400 in labor so shopping around is good.