Rear Diff rebuild $$$$$$

Needs little help fellas. Truck was making some vibrations that I thought was the transmission going out. Took it to Toyota and they tell me that it’s fine. Took it to a mechanic that is also claiming the trans is fine. Couple of days ago my rear diff was leaking oil. Took the truck in to have it checked out and the mechanic is telling me the diff needs a rebuild. Cool....and tells me that’s labor is going to be $800. That seemed a little steep. Okay go on and crack it open and let’s see what you find wrong with the diff I tel him. After a couple of days he calls me and tells me that with parts and labor it’s going to cost me $3400 OUCH!!!! He tells me that the parts that need to be replaced are expensive. The parts are yolk, bearing kit, spider gears and ring/pinion. Help me out guys. Is this an accurate quote?

 

Not even close!!!!!!!!
You can order a new center section with R&P a ARB locker and bearings and oil from ECGS for less than half that. Hell you can get F&R done for a little over that.

 

Holy smoke, really do some research before you get ripped off. I rebuilt mine and installed an ARB Air locker for about $1500. Good luck with your truck.

 

The mechanic you took it to, point blank is a thief.

 

HTF are you doing Harrops for less than that plus regear?

 

Check in with East Coast Gear Supply. You can probably get a 3rd member from them for a good price.

 

Ah gotcha you doing the work yourself then?

Where you getting the Harrop? ECGS has them for 1300 bucks too steep for me but I think I'd like them better than an ARB.

 

You can get a full 3rd member from ECGS for under 2k and that’s without sending in your old one as core.

 

They aren't that hard. If my truck wasn't my DD and I had a place to work on it, I would be doing it all myself. You must be getting some super cheap labor then

 

$3,400? heck get a custom Currie Ford 9 inch Tacoma drop in with the gears of your choice for $3,514. https://www.currieenterprises.com/toyota-tacoma-9-inch-rear-axle

 

Thanks for the input fellas. My truck is a 2009 trd-off road, 4.0,2wd and she has 210k miles. I told the mechanic to put it back together and that i will be picking it up it the morning. I will def be doing my research. If any of you guys are in the Dallas area and know of any shops that are not going to give me the Sandusky treatment please send over the contact info. I have priced out the parts that he told me he is going to replace and i can def get them cheaper through toyota.

 

Isn't that bolt in Dana 60 around $3,500?

Doesn't the Off Road model have the 8 and not the 8.4? The 8 is going to be more difficult to find in a salvage yard.

 

I personally wouldn't go back to a mechanic that quotes so high. Something very wrong there.

 

what exactly is leaking

diffs have many parts
case gasket
drain plug gasket

 

I bought my 3rd member fully assembled with 5.29 gears from ECGS just earlier this week on Monday. I paid $765 + $525 core charge (which they'll credit back when they get mine back), they even give you a return shipping label to send yours back too.

 

Don't forget to do the rear wheel bearings and seals when you do the 3rd member.
You need to find a Driveline only shop so they know what really needs to be done at a fair price.
Got my rear rebuilt (bearings and crush sleeve) with rear wheel bearings and seals plus both front wheel bearings for $1700 but no ring pinion required. 4wd so that included changing all 3 cases fluid and new u-joints and balance of front drive shaft - had TW main driveshaft already setup.
As above if those are really trashed/cracked ECGS is the way to go. Local shop can do the 3rd member exchange for you as they can press those rear wheel bearing on the axles for you and make a few dollars on all the labor if you are so inclined as I was. Didn't have the time as travelling for work a lot so dropped it off and picked it up - so easy.
As for wrecking yard if higher mileage rear may have same problems soon after as yours its always a crap shoot. Sorry for your headache.

 

sounds like he priced out a brand new OEM diff... their expensive.. a rebuild should be Well under that.. like less than 1000 if hes doing it...

unless it needs a ring gear and pinion.. then it gets expensive.. but shouldnt be more than 2k

 

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/d/toyota-3rd-member-axles/7049443762.html

Might be worth a shot. Don't pay more than $400 for a used 3rd member, unless it is fresh or has a new/upgraded diff. Also, know which axle you have (8" locker or 8.4" limited slip diff) and gear ratio (V6's had 3.73) before inquiring.

 

Call Tandem Automotive in Fort Worth (Toyota shop)

 

I found a solution....I called a local shop here in Dallas that was recommended by a friend/neighbor of mine, they were super helpful and informative. I will be paying less than half what the first shop was going to charge me. Thank you guys for yall's input, i really do appreciate it. This has def been a learning experience.

Do not go to "the transmission shop"