Grenaded front diff

So, I had my very own episode of "Customer States" yesterday. My wife was describing what sounded like some drive line vibration. The Tahoe needed an oil change anyway, so I was going to check the U-Joints while I was under there. To my surprise, I found a Hole in the side of the front diff! At least I have a good rust preventative undercoating now... Local shop wants $1,500 to swap in a Remanufactured unit. $1,200 for the reman and $300 labor. They did give me an option for a junkyard swap (90K mile unit for $550), but I think I'm going to opt for the reman instead. Plan on keeping this thing on the road as long as possible. Do those prices sound reasonable? I see uspowertrain[dot]com has a reman for the same price after shipping. I thought about swapping it out myself, but I'm just too busy lately.

Dang....How does that happen?
almost looks like it could've taken a hit from the outside?
I've been happy enough with my $150 salvage yard front diff....
But I had to drive 45 min each way and do it myself...

Sounds awfully steep, reseal a junkyard unit and go. Do it yourself, save even more.

I agree with getting a junkyard unit. Got mine from pullapart, if I recall correctly they only charged me around $80 out the door and it’s in good condition. They are not very hard to swap out. No special tools required but it helps to have 2 people when you are dropping it down and putting the new one back in.

Yup junkyard swap it yourself, I swapped front and rear diffs in my Yukon for a cost of about $400. I wanted 4.10 gears. Then I spent some $ on Kryptonite and Cognito front end parts.

I had an opportunity to look over the broken diff before sending it back as a core. Turns out one of the bolts that hold the ring gear in place had completely backed out and was rattling around in the diff. That loose bolt punched Two holes in the diff and cracked it in a third location.

dang..... grassy knoll stuff....

i spent $400 regearing and rebuilding mine plus another 200 for the special GM holding tool for getting the inner bear race in.

speaking of rebuilding, the bearing kit i bought when i did it cost me $85, that same kit is now $28 on amazon

ExCel XL-1017-1​

Alteca said:

I agree with getting a junkyard unit. Got mine from pullapart, if I recall correctly they only charged me around $80 out the door and it’s in good condition. They are not very hard to swap out. No special tools required but it helps to have 2 people when you are dropping it down and putting the new one back in.

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yeah, i had to lay on my back and heave it onto my chest, then bench press it into place while some one put the bolts in. would not be very fun by your self id imagine

caw_86 said:

yeah, i had to lay on my back and heave it onto my chest, then bench press it into place while some one put the bolts in. would not be very fun by your self id imagine

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No it’s not fun by yourself but I’ve done it with the help of a floor jack. If that’s not an option then you’re really in for a fun time.