replace rear diff. or entire rear end?

[Washington4R]

question for the group: apparently my rear differential is bad - metal shavings and water inside - so should i replace just the 3rd member (i assume this is just the rear diff.?) for $275 plus $225 labor, or the entire rear-end for $550 plus $250 labor?

any help would be much appreciated since i only know how to drive 4runners, not work on them!

thanks!

 

[ovrrdrive]

Just the 3rd, everything else is fine.

I know it seems like a big job to do, but it really isn't rocket science. It is labor intensive and will take 1/2 to 3/4 of a full day to do it, but I bet you could do it no problem.

Btw, the prices you quoted are really, really low. Are you sure you got the prices right?

Is this for new, used, or rebuilding the one you have?

Btw, Yotatech seems to be a better resource when you actually have to work on your runner... Don't get me wrong, i visit here everyday, but when something breaks you have to go where people are actually working on their rigs to learn how to fix it.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Btw, the 3rd member is just the center chunk out of the rear differential. It comes out by itself in Toyota's which makes it easier to change out and work on.

Here's a pic of my new 3rd I got for my truck.

 

[Washington4R]

thanks for the info. i called a shop in seattle where i live and they said if i bought the third member myself, which i found for about $550, rebuilt, they'd put it in for $225. now that i know i don't need to replace the entire rear end, that makes things a lot easier.