Rear differential replacement help

[02ncHoe]

My 05 z71 has 251k on it and the rear diff whine has finally gotten loud enough for me to want to do something about it. It’s not my daily driver but want it to be ready if need be. My mechanic has suggested not rebuilding but replacing with a remanufactured Jasper. 1900.00 for the diff and 400 for the swap. Not real
crazy about Jasper after reading the reviews about their engines and trannys. Has anyone had any experience with Jasper rear ends? Any other suggestions? Powertrain products is the other company I see advertised a lot and was quoted basically the same price for the diff from them.

 

[Mechanic421]

Were do u live? I live south east Florida. I have a 05 rear axle used, but no noises. About 160,000 complete less brakes. I replaced it with one I had a lot of new parts in.3.73 open diff two speed sensors. I would recommend new axle seals and bearings. I am looking to get 400.00. Also air lift air bags and stock coil springs come with it.

 

[02ncHoe]

Thanks for the offer. I have 3.42 and limited slip and would like to replace with the same.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Thanks for the offer. I have 3.42 and limited slip and would like to replace with the same.

TruTrac FTW.

 

[swathdiver]

My 05 z71 has 251k on it and the rear diff whine has finally gotten loud enough for me to want to do something about it. It’s not my daily driver but want it to be ready if need be. My mechanic has suggested not rebuilding but replacing with a remanufactured Jasper. 1900.00 for the diff and 400 for the swap. Not real
crazy about Jasper after reading the reviews about their engines and trannys. Has anyone had any experience with Jasper rear ends? Any other suggestions? Powertrain products is the other company I see advertised a lot and was quoted basically the same price for the diff from them.

So what needs replacing? The ring and pinion and or the bearings or the center chunk components?

 

[mikeyss]

I have a Jasper rear in my 05 tahoe. I'm going on 4 years with it and no issues. When I was a service advisor for an independent shop, I always used Jasper over the years and never once had any issues with their engines, trans, or rear ends.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Those diffs aren't difficult to rebuild. I'd shop around, sounds like he may not have experience or tools in doing diffs, hence the desire for a swap over. I'd expect a rebuild to be in the 800-1100 range out the door

 

[02ncHoe]

Pinion bearing is what’s squealing. Mechanic was going to order a rebuild kit but suggested replacing the entire diff if I was going to keep it. He figured 8 plus hours of labor to rebuild and couldn’t guarantee he’d get all the metal frags out. He said the replacement diff would come in at half the labor and would be completely rebuilt and warrantied.

 

[02ncHoe]

Those diffs aren't difficult to rebuild. I'd shop around, sounds like he may not have experience or tools in doing diffs, hence the desire for a swap over. I'd expect a rebuild to be in the 800-1100 range out the door

That’s exactly what he quoted me and I agree about his confidence. I don’t think he’s done many. I’m definitely seeking a second opinion.

 

[SnowDrifter]

8+ sounds quite high for a diff rebuild. I'd question the labor guide he's using.

Getting metal out of the diff ain't difficult. There are no odd nooks or crannies. Just pull the rear axle shafts out the rest of the way rather than half way and run some rags through the thing with a broom handle. Sweep into the center then clean out.

Half off on labor means nothing. Saving $400 to spend $1500.

Really sounds to be like he just doesn't want to do the rebuild for XYZ reason. And a no-warranty implication of "the new one will be warrantied" gives me pause. I'm sticking with my recommendation to shop around.

Edit: To be clear - not ragging on the guy. Some folks just don't do gears often enough to feel comfortable doing it. That's where I was w/ my front diff when I made the decision to swap in a rebuilt unit. Hindsight I should have done it myself but they're tricky things and I pussed out.

 

[02ncHoe]

8+ sounds quite high for a diff rebuild. I'd question the labor guide he's using.

Getting metal out of the diff ain't difficult. There are no odd nooks or crannies. Just pull the rear axle shafts out the rest of the way rather than half way and run some rags through the thing with a broom handle. Sweep into the center then clean out.

Half off on labor means nothing. Saving $400 to spend $1500.

Really sounds to be like he just doesn't want to do the rebuild for XYZ reason. And a no-warranty implication of "the new one will be warrantied" gives me pause. I'm sticking with my recommendation to shop around.

Edit: To be clear - not ragging on the guy. Some folks just don't do gears often enough to feel comfortable doing it. That's where I was w/ my front diff when I made the decision to swap in a rebuilt unit. Hindsight I should have done it myself but they're tricky things and I pussed out.

I think the same and agree. I appreciate the feedback and was looking for expert advise from the forum. This place is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks to all!

 

[csNC]

I have a 2009 Tahoe LT. In 2017, I had a loud whine, also. Took it to a shop which attempted to diagnose the situation, and agreed the rear end had a problem. Took it to the Chevy dealership. They disassembled it, found the damage, and quoted me ~$2500 to repair it. Warranty was poor, so I asked for options. They suggested a Jasper. Warranty and guarantee were much better, money was a little more. I depend on the vehicle for towing my camper and is my primary vehicle much of the time, so I wanted a solution that I could have confidence in. I went with Jasper. No issues since then.

 

[SnowDrifter]

I have a 2009 Tahoe LT. In 2017, I had a loud whine, also. Took it to a shop which attempted to diagnose the situation, and agreed the rear end had a problem. Took it to the Chevy dealership. They disassembled it, found the damage, and quoted me ~$2500 to repair it. Warranty was poor, so I asked for options. They suggested a Jasper. Warranty and guarantee were much better, money was a little more. I depend on the vehicle for towing my camper and is my primary vehicle much of the time, so I wanted a solution that I could have confidence in. I went with Jasper. No issues since then.

Not sure if ad

 

[02ncHoe]

Update: took to a local gear shop on a recommendation. Definitely needs a rebuild and said they could do it considerably less than a reman swap. They charge 200 to tear it down and put back together. The 200 goes towards repair if I decide to let them do it. Total price out the door is 2600.00!! 2300.00 for the rebuild which includes new axles. Said old axles were pitted. 2-300.00 for a new driveshaft as the old one may vibrate after the rebuild. So basically the same price as reman plus 300 more for driveshaft. This seems off the charts!! I’m open to any other options. Thanks

 

[swathdiver]

Update: took to a local gear shop on a recommendation. Definitely needs a rebuild and said they could do it considerably less than a reman swap. They charge 200 to tear it down and put back together. The 200 goes towards repair if I decide to let them do it. Total price out the door is 2600.00!! 2300.00 for the rebuild which includes new axles. Said old axles were pitted. 2-300.00 for a new driveshaft as the old one may vibrate after the rebuild. So basically the same price as reman plus 300 more for driveshaft. This seems off the charts!! I’m open to any other options. Thanks

Brand new OEM are $2800-$2900. Pitted axles is no big deal if the seals are not leaking. Junkyard axles can had for about 1/2 or less than that. Rebuild isn't that big of a deal. Where's Matt? @Matthew Jeschke

Don't do anything until you talk to Matt and Randy. @randeez

 

[02ncHoe]

Junkyard axle is what I would prefer. Shop said finding one with good mileage wouldn’t be easy. Not sure I believe that.

 

[Mechanic421]

Junkyard axle is what I would prefer. Shop said finding one with good mileage wouldn’t be easy. Not sure I believe that.

I would find another shop I have never had trouble cleaning out all the metal! Only time I would replace the housing is if there is damage. Very rare!

 

[Erickk120]

Personally if the backlash/wear checks out on the ring and pinion, "within specs" just get the bearings and axles replaced, if the axles are even bad, almost sounds like you are being oversold, but you can never know til you see the parts your self. Back to the point. I would expect to pay around 500-700 for new bearings. I would keep shopping around til you find a reasonable shop.

Used you never know what you get, the ring and pinion might check out visually, but the bearings could be half gone, so I think new bearings are worth it, the only complicated part about cleaning the housing is the area next to the caps, there is a groove there that loves to slice your gloves and make you wake up at the feeling of a cut.

 

[02ncHoe]

I’m 200 in it for the teardown and diagnoses. Think I’ll pick it up and keep searching. If push comes to shove, I’ll just do the Jasper replacement at my local shop. Was really hoping for a more economical solution, but all remanufactured are in the same ballpark and had no idea a rebuild would be the same.

 

[mattbta]

I had mine rebuilt for $650 and included new u-joints, pinion/carrier/axle bearings, races, seals and spider gears.