Rear Diff Question

[ttora4runner]

Two weeks ago I took my 4runner in for safety and emissions testing and to have another noise checked out and to have another alignment done (alignment is still goofy at the whole lower ball joint failure, this is the 3rd one).

When doing the inspection the tech notice an odd sound coming from the rear end. The tech diagonics is that the bearing in the rear diff. is starting to go and should be replaced as a preventative maintenance measure. Quote for them to do the work and service the 4 wheel drive is $995.00

Needless to say I haven't done this yet. My question is then how do you know that the bearing in the rear diff is starting to go? Is there a particular sound or a certain feel to it? Does that price quote seem about right for this type of work? How diffifcult is it to replace the bearing?

At the beginning of this week I've started to notice some short of slippage (at least that's how it feels, seems like its coming from the rear)) when you accelator from a start then past that it's fine. Would this be caused by a bad bearing as mentioned above?
I'm starting to get a sick of the amount of $$ I've had to spend as late on this due to problems. So any advice you all could give me would be great.

 

[lewis]

Which bearing? The ones on the third member would make quite a howl on the freeway if they were going out from my experience. Also if you need diff work done, you should pull the third and take it to Carl (Ilean). It would save you lots of $$$

 

[Justin Lake]

You will have to be more specific on the type of noise it's making. A bad bearing will typically make a howling or humming noise. It will also usually show play or slop. The "slippage" on accelaration has got me wondering if you've stripped a few teeth on the spider gears or possibly the ring/pinion gear, but these types of problems usually make a bad enough clanking or popping noise to make you not wanna drive it at all. Also, which bearing did the tech say was bad? pinion bearing, carrier bearing, or hub/wheel bearing

 

[ttora4runner]

The things is that it doesn't make a noise. At least one that I can notice. I need to give the shop a call again and find out exactly what bearing in the rear it was since I don't remember.


These are the parts they quoted me.

Rear Diff Bearing Kit

Crush Sleave 41231-24010
Gasket 42181-60050
Seal 90311-38047
Nut 90179-20018
In bearing 90366-35087
Out bearing 90366-30067

This is kind of a mute point at the moment. Will up on Skyline Drive tonight my 4runner shuttering, by the time I get get to the US Bank on 500 w the shuttering gets worse and the check engine light comes on. I'm going to head to O'Riley Auto Parts in the morning to use the code scanner and see what it is (I have an idea on this already.

 

[Justin Lake]

Well at first you said you took it in because it was making a noise, then you said it doesn't make a noise. Get your runner scanned, figure out the shuttering problem and go from there. Looks like the mechanic is wanting to replace the pinion bearings. Try moving your drive line up and down close to the pinion (put the transmission and t-case in nuetral, chawk the wheels) It's best if you can get the rear tires off the ground so there is no torque on the rear diff. Usually if the pinion bearing is bad you will get some sort of movement. It's kind of hard to help you without looking at it