Diff help

[Daymo_84]

Ok so after putting up with a diff that sounds like a astronaut re-entering the atmosphere for 2 months and its had new oil and the additive in it and nothing has changed, its come time to have it looked at. Mechanic said it was the "front pinon bearing" and it would cost $700.........sounded kinda pricey so i thought i would throw the question up. Whats a fair price to have a bearing kit through the diff? Is there any point in just doing the one bearing or would it be better to have a once over while its being done? It is 105,000 kms old and no sign of single spin and has been well looked after. Diff is a 3.45 in my XR8 III ute. Any tips or if you can point me towards a diff mob that has done the right thing by you that would be good. Im in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Thanks

Daymo

[Rambunctious]

I will probably upset a few mechanics here but so be it.
I take diff problems to driveline specialists just as I would take electrical problems to an Auto Electrician. The reason is simple. While your mechanic may be a bit of an all rounder, there is every chance your job will be sub let to a diff (driveline) specialist.
Why not google "Driveline Services Melbourne" or similar and get a second, maybe third opinion.
On another note, an elderly female neighbour recently was quoted $1300 to repair a diff noise in her commodore. She asked me what I thought and after driving her car I was not convinced it was a diff problem so I swapped her wheels rear to front, front to rear and the noise went to the front which indicated a tyre problem.
Not saying your's is not a diff problem, just my 2 cents worth.

[Mainlube]

Originally Posted by Daymo_84

Ok so after putting up with a diff that sounds like a astronaut re-entering the atmosphere for 2 months and its had new oil and the additive in it and nothing has changed, its come time to have it looked at. Mechanic said it was the "front pinon bearing" and it would cost $700.........sounded kinda pricey so i thought i would throw the question up. Whats a fair price to have a bearing kit through the diff? Is there any point in just doing the one bearing or would it be better to have a once over while its being done? It is 105,000 kms old and no sign of single spin and has been well looked after. Diff is a 3.45 in my XR8 III ute. Any tips or if you can point me towards a diff mob that has done the right thing by you that would be good. Im in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Thanks

Daymo

Daymo

Bearing for the diff is no biggie however .....

setting up a diff is a whole different job.

The mesh between the crown wheel and pinion must be set or they will whine.

This is harder to get right with used gears.

Not a bad price if there's no whine.

Cheers

Steve

[FTe342]

P250 runs the same diff and are reknowned for the diff bearings to fail with the resultant whine anywhere from 70,000 klms onwards. Wasn't aware the std XR8's had same problem. I thought it was the 500 nm of the stroker doing the damage (T3 sedans run a stronger diff with the IRS).

$700 is a good price. The mechanic would probably just pull it out and give the centre to a diff specialist.

I had mine done by a diff specialist in Mackay and it was $800 drive in/drive out 2 yrs ago which included carrier bearings and check LSD. But be aware, there are bearings and then there are bearings. You want the good ones - Timken or such so you won't be doing it again in another 50/70Klms.
Oh and make sure you leave them the spare wheel brace! They need to drop the spare to get at it