Rear Differential Replacement Cost

Rear Differential Noise – if you hear howling from the rear of your truck or SUV when you’re driving, it’s possible it’s rear differential noise. It can change in pitch as well as come and go depending on the severity of the issue and load on the diff. Many times, rear differential noise is mistakenly thought to be tire noise and ignored, leading to more expensive repairs. Rather than both wheels turning at exactly the same rate, a differential allows for more precise control of the vehicle. A front-wheel-drive vehicle will have a front differential or transaxle that basically performs the same function. An all-wheel or 4-wheel-drive vehicle will have both front and rear differentials providing power to all four wheels.

But you can’t continue to drive with a bad differential forever. There’s a chance that it’ll seize up on you, and that can be dangerous, especially if it happens at higher speed.

Knowing the symptoms of a bad rear differential will save you from a lot of drivability issues. A differential is an essential component that helps in the handling of your wheel system. It transfers power from the Vehicle transmission and engine to individual wheels. Instead of the wheels turning at the same rate, a differential offers more precise control over your vehicle.

Whats The Difference Between Front And Rear Differentials?

If your differential isn’t functioning properly, you will likely feel and hear it as you’re driving. If a bearing is failing inside the differential the noise is virtually the same as the one created by a failing wheel bearing making it hard to isolate. To make the process of selling a car with a bad rear differential or another problem easier, many companies buy vehicles as-is. These companies either make the necessary repairs then resell the cars or take them apart and sell them for parts or reuse the functional components for repairs on other autos.

• This reduces your chances of losing control when accelerating out of a corner on loose surfaces like dirt roads where one tire has significantly less grip than the other.
• They will then reseal the cover and add in the appropriate amount of clean, new fluid.
• When you work with us, you will be able to quickly get rid of the unsightly and nonfunctional auto sitting on your property.
• It works by distributing torque equally to both driving wheels when they are moving at approximately the same speed.
• The repair cost and replacement process for a new rear differential vary greatly, but a general rule of thumb can be applied.
• It’s used in heavy loads applications because it adds weight, which means more traction and suffers less than other setups.

In the absolute worst-case scenario, you will need a rear differential replacement. This becomes necessary in certain situations, including when the gears “grenaded.” In that situation, the differential case may not be fixable. In this case, your mechanic will have to replace the entire rear differential, including the housing, bearings, seals, and gears. You need to take care of your rearend differential just like you would any other component of your auto. One important aspect of servicing rear differentials is their lubrication. The gears within the differential need to be covered in gear oil, a substance that lubricates not only the gears but also the bearings. The oil also helps keep the components cool, so they do not overheat.

Regular Fluid Change

Has more than 10 years of experience buying damaged cars of all kinds, including those with rear differential problems. A differential has one significant function; to transfer power from vehicle transmission and engine to individual wheels. The differential allows the driver to optimize the handling and control of the vehicle. It offers more precise control over your wheels, instead of the wheels to be turning at the same rate. The first and most important tip and trick for prolonging your differential lifespan is a regularly scheduled differential fluid change. Like every other mechanical component, a failing or bad rear differential will develop some symptoms to notify the driver of a problem.

• If you are driving and feeling unusual vibrations, this may be a sign of a bad differential or gear oil.
• Marc is the Co-Founder of Cash Auto Salvage and Director of daily operations.
• This type of repair is more time-consuming and challenging than the previous two since you have to also remove the axle shafts.
• Differentials give your vehicle’s the ability to turn at different rates.
• We offer unbiased reviews of vehicles, as well as buying advice and news.
• They are both light and strong materials, which will make your car go faster.
• A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere between $200 and $400.

A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere between $200 and $400. These typical repairs would include your bearing, seals, and fluid changes. Of course, 5 Symptoms of a Bad Front or Rear Differential and Repair Cost when a gear change is required, that’s when things get pricey. A differential is crucial in maintaining the correct spinning speed of each wheel.

How To Sell Your Car With A Bad Rear Diff

These variations will depend on the load on your differential, as well as the severity of the problem. One of the first symptoms of a problem with the differential gasket are traces of oil on the underside of the vehicle. Depending on the amount of oil seeping through the gasket, this may leave noticeable traces of oil on the undersides of the differential housing. A seeping differential will usually be okay to drive for a while, however, it will eventually progress into a full on leak as time goes on.

• If you find sidewall or outer tire wear on the rear wheels, it’s a good indication that your differential might be failing.
• The pedal should be kept under half-throttle at all times and absolutely no towing or hauling.
• For a rebuilt differential, you might need to spend between $400 and $1,000.
• Two wheels on a drive axle without a differential in the middle would result in both wheels receiving the same power at all times.
• These seals prevent the diff fluid from leaking onto your rear brakes.

Another major indication is that your vehicle starts vibrating, especially when you take turns even at a steady speed. Once you diagnose the issue at hand, you will be able to figure out whether simple repair work will do or if you need a replacement. The differential has two bearings, one for the pinion and one for the side. One or both of them must be changed if it begins to grind or hum.

How Many Axles Does My Car Have?

This means if one tire loses traction, the other tire will be limited in the amount of force it can apply to the ground to propel the vehicle forward. When you take a turn in your vehicle, the left and right wheels will take a slightly different path. The tires on the inside of the turn will make a circle with a smaller radius, which means it requires less revolutions of the tire to complete the turn. There are also seals that go bad on the side of the differential. To repair this, you need to remove the axle shafts, making for a more complicated task. Worn bearings may cause a vehicle to pull to the left or right when brakes are applied. The direction the vehicle pulls signals where the worn bearings are located, left or right side of the vehicle.

The second factor is the quality of materials used in its manufacture. Cheap axles are more likely to break, but they often slide right by inspectors at the point of sale because they look great on the outside!

Differential Failure Due To Lack Of Lubrication:

If you try to take off quickly and one side of your vehicle drives like it is in the wrong gear, you likely have a broken axle. https://accountingcoaching.online/ This issue most often occurs when you try to reverse your car, but it can happen any time you want to accelerate too quickly.

Things can worsen if you drive on an expressway with lots of vehicles. There is a strong possibility of getting into an accident because your axle may be stuck on the road. When issues start to occur, a howling sound might appear from the rear of your truck while driving. It can be continuous, come and go or even change pitch as it all depends on the load on the differential as well as the severity of the issue.

Get A Cash Offer For Your Broken Vehicle

By contrast, repairing the leak will sometimes require a rear differential rebuild or other massive repairs. Although noise is a common symptom, you are probably more likely to notice a fluid leak or just low oil for your rear differential. The leaks typically occur by the axle seals, the rear differential cover, or the pinion seal, the last of which is where your driveshaft connects to the differential. Additionally, metal filings come off the bearings and gears and collect in the fluid. Between the metal filings and the breakdown of the fluid, you must change the rear differential fluid every once in a while.

These are the limited-slip differential (which includes both locking and clutch-type devices), and the open type differential. Replacing a worn bearing with a new one will run between $200-$400, and sealing the piston or side should cost $400 to $800 due to the extra time required. This is one of the earliest symptoms that suggest your diff is going out. As a car accrues miles, the standard erosion can occur and lead to failure of the differential. However, if the differential is well maintained, then the lifespan can be just as long as the car itself. Locking – or “Lockers” keep both wheels spinning at the same speed. Whether you’re turning a corner or rock climbing, the wheels will always spin equal amounts.

Furthermore, when there is too much clearance or backlash between ring and pinion, you will hear a clunking noise when shifting from park to drive. You can use a telescope to detect whether it is the differential or rear axle problem that is causing the noise. A pair of new tires will cost somewhere between $100 and $300, but high-end off-road tires can cost as high as $1,000. So, examine the differential upon catching the slightest tire wearing signs. Not changing the differential oil at scheduled intervals may lead to this problem.

This is because the problem is just present on one side of the offending tooth. This rear differential noise is described as a heavy clicking type of sound which occurs every eight feet or so. If the pinion is the one that has a high spot, the noise occurs every two or three feet and is much more pronounced because of its higher frequency.

Night Vision In A Vehicle: Is It Worth It?

An out-of-balance driveshaft may cause your vehicle to vibrate heavily as it accelerates. Thus applying more force against that wheel’s axle and forcing it to rotate at the same speed as its opposite side. This way, you can apply throttle input and let your car do all of the work in moving forward – something that would not be possible without a proper differential. Josh Barrett is a writer hailing from the great state of Alaska. While describing himself in the third person is not his forte, writing about any and all things automotive – is.