Front Diff?

[jonesfam]

I need a bit of advice.
My front diff has gone belly up & is whining like a 8 year old.
I have a quote to replace the diff,
A second hand diff is about $1400,
A Reconditioned diff is about $1800,
Oils, fitting etc is the same for both.
Which way to go?


I lean towards Reconditioned because it has been fully re-done - but -
Second hand is a $400 saving!


Money is tight at the moment with a few large expenses at home but I don't want to have diff problems in the future cause money will probably be tight then as well.


What do you reckon?
Jonesfam

[Geedublya]

Is the recon diff on an exchange basis?

I would be going for the reco diff especially if it has a warranty.

Remember if the secondhand one goes you will be paying twice for fitting.

[Geedublya]

These guys (http://awarddiffgearboxservices.com.au/diff-overhaul-price-list/) do a reco for $895.

I have a dead one here I can take to them if you want (it only cost me $50 and isn't suitable for my V8).

[letherm]

It's a judgement call but I would go for the reconditioned one if you scrape up the money. The replacement one may be almost as bad as the existing one and you'd be back to square one again. Had an auto gearbox go on a Pajero and the mechanics could only get a second hand one as there weren't any new or reconditioned ones available. I felt that it would die sooner rather than later and now own a D4. :) Bottom line is that the labour component may well be a large part of the cost and at least with a recon one you may get some sort of warranty and it should be in a serviceable condition and last longer. Just my two cents worth.

Martin

[LandyAndy]

Pretty sure somebody posted that a Ford Ranger has the same front diff,except it has a cast iron case instead of alloy.Could be worth looking into.
Andrew

[SBD4]

Pretty sure somebody posted that a Ford Ranger has the same front diff,except it has a cast iron case instead of alloy.Could be worth looking into.
Andrew

not confirmed Andrew and ratios most likely would be an issue:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/203031-front-diff-replacement-under-warranty.html

[jonesfam]

Just ordered the Reconditioned diff.
I'll sell a couple of kids if I have to.:D
Jonesfam

[jonesfam]

Had my new (reconditioned) front diff fitted yesterday -
What a DIFFerence!:D
I can hear the stereo, no more sounding like I have a mob of screaming kids between the front wheels & I no longer drive wondering when it's all going to go BANG!
The car is also smoother & seems to just feel better.
Also got a big "B" service done so, hopefully, the bloody thing will be happy for the next 6 months. Find out tomorrow when I head back to work.
All up it cost me a bit over $2600 so I only had to sell 1 & a half kids.


Now SWMBO car needs new brakes & tyres, might have to sell another half a kid.:(
Jonesfam

[rar110]

Did they swap out the entire front axle or just the centre?

[jonesfam]

Just the centre.
Rene (the mad mechanic) said the rest of the drive train from front to back was all in good nick. He did the oil in the centre & rear diffs & transfer box.
He did say he was going to service the gear box sometime in the next couple of scheduled services.
Before I left his place he got me to turn the drive shaft end of the old Diff, it took a lot of effort, was really rough & lumpy feeling & even being turned by hand made some interesting noises.
He also said there was a very big pyramid of metal stuck to the magnetic drain plug on the old diff.
Jonesfam