Cost to replace rear differential on a GM vehicle?

[pacem]

The yoke at the differential snapped off the rear end which means the differential needs to be replaced.

any idea of the cost involved? How much do used, low-mileage ones go at junk yards?

 

[Realtech214]

Just get a new pinion shaft and yoke. Do a rebuild while your at it. Its not too terribly expensive for all the bearings and such.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

We need to know more about the vehicle ...

If it's a leaf sprung pickup ... You could go down to the local junkyard, grab a rear axle for $100, bring it home and swap it probably in a weekend.

If it's a live axle with a coil spring setup, it's a bit more complicated. Even more on top of that if it's an independent suspension setup.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: pacem

The yoke at the differential snapped off the rear end which means the differential needs to be replaced.

any idea of the cost involved? How much do used, low-mileage ones go at junk yards?






Enter your vehicle data in www.car-part.com

That'll give you an idea for the cost and availability at wrecking yards, and might even turn up one close enough to go check it out.

 

[edwardh1]

jeep or other off road? with strange drive shaft angles? what caused the failure?

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: Realtech214
Just get a new pinion shaft and yoke. Do a rebuild while your at it. Its not too terribly expensive for all the bearings and such.


If the OP is asking about rear end replacement cost, I think a ring and pinion job is beyond his ability. If he sourced the work, by the time he acquired the parts and had a shop rebuild it, he'd be at more than twice the cost of a boneyard unit.

 

[Zaedock]

I just checked, it looks like the car maybe his Caprice?

If so, diff's are cheap and plentiful in the junkyard.

 

[Chris142]

$150 @ picapart.drum to drum

 

[pacem]

I think the easiest is to just completely replace the rear end from another vehicle.

No, I wouldn't be doing it myself. Total cost estimate? Under a grand I assume?

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: pacem
I think the easiest is to just completely replace the rear end from another vehicle.

No, I wouldn't be doing it myself. Total cost estimate? Under a grand I assume?



+1 just change the oil in the "new" one first. Then brakes too.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: pacem
I think the easiest is to just completely replace the rear end from another vehicle.

No, I wouldn't be doing it myself. Total cost estimate? Under a grand I assume?



+1 just change the oil in the "new" one first. Then brakes too.


He can unbolt the backing plates from the old one and not even need to open the brake system. He'll have to change the oil as well, as the shop will need to remove the C clips to pull the shafts out for backing plate transfer.

It's a couple of hour job, although a shop will charge you at least a half day + maybe a fudge factor.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: Realtech214
Just get a new pinion shaft and yoke. Do a rebuild while your at it. Its not too terribly expensive for all the bearings and such.


If the OP is asking about rear end replacement cost, I think a ring and pinion job is beyond his ability. If he sourced the work, by the time he acquired the parts and had a shop rebuild it, he'd be at more than twice the cost of a boneyard unit.


Agreed, rebuilding a diff is beyond many mechanics abilities not just most DIY.
Setting it up just right takes a lot of expertise.