Rear Differential Repair/Replacement

[415runner562]

I took my 4Runner to a transmission shop. They said that the noise that I keep hearing could be my rear differential, specifically a bearing.

How much am I looking to spend to get this fixed?

For those in the Los Angeles area, specifically Long Beach, do you recommend any shops?

 

[Rattlecanpaint]

COULD BE? They're not sure? Could it possibly be a wheel bearing they are talking about as opposed to the differential? A wheel bearing is MUCH cheaper to fix.

 

[blackmax]

I took my 4Runner to a transmission shop. They said that the noise that I keep hearing could be my rear differential, specifically a bearing.

How much am I looking to spend to get this fixed?

For those in the Los Angeles area, specifically Long Beach, do you recommend any shops?

I'd be curious as to the sound you were hearing. Bad bearing generally is a grinding sound. Yea, I rarely fix "could be".....it often ends up being something like "yep, it was that plus this other thing over here. that'll be another $1,000". There are good mechanics and bad mechanics...but I've paid them to fix at least 20 of the last 5 problems I've had over the yearsound: I know some good places in the Pasadena area....none in Long Beach.

 

[415runner562]

I'd be curious as to the sound you were hearing. Bad bearing generally is a grinding sound. Yea, I rarely fix "could be".....it often ends up being something like "yep, it was that plus this other thing over here. that'll be another $1,000". There are good mechanics and bad mechanics...but I've paid them to fix at least 20 of the last 5 problems I've had over the yearsound: I know some good places in the Pasadena area....none in Long Beach.

I can do Pasadena. Any recommendations?

 

[JWaldz]

Could you explain the sound you're hearing? A good indication of a bad wheel bearing is a wobbly tire. Jack the tire off the ground (one by one), grab the top and bottom of the tire and wiggle it back and forth. If there is play or any slop it's most likely the bearing.

 

[chmura]

It could be infact the carrier bearings in the differencial.

I had this problem in my Tacoma. It was very loud in the can at around 78mph. Almost like a whine.

I never knew what was the cause of it until I sold my Tacoma to a Toyota teacher that teachers many courses to their technicians.

After the test drive he said the hum/whine were the carrier bearings were bad. He instantly told me it was that.

In the end he bought my truck on the spot since he can fix the bearing issue himself.

 

[415runner562]

Could you explain the sound you're hearing? A good indication of a bad wheel bearing is a wobbly tire. Jack the tire off the ground (one by one), grab the top and bottom of the tire and wiggle it back and forth. If there is play or any slop it's most likely the bearing.

I don't have a problem with any wheel bearings. The mechanic said that it could either be the bearing(s) in the rear differential or possibly the whole rear differential

 

[415runner562]

It could be infact the carrier bearings in the differencial.

I had this problem in my Tacoma. It was very loud in the can at around 78mph. Almost like a whine.

I never knew what was the cause of it until I sold my Tacoma to a Toyota teacher that teachers many courses to their technicians.

After the test drive he said the hum/whine were the carrier bearings were bad. He instantly told me it was that.

In the end he bought my truck on the spot since he can fix the bearing issue himself.

I'm hoping it's just that. I think it might cost me less than having a brand new differential put in place. The humming is there.

 

[furuoka]

I have a similar issue as well.

The carrier bearing is part of the drive shaft on Tacoma's. Our 4 runners don't have a carrier bearing. It is a bearing that splits the drive shaft into two sections.

Follow up to let us know what you found.