Can I rebuild my own differential?

While many people do try differential rebuilding jobs on their own, remember that it’s always better to let a professional handle work on your car. Your mechanic may also suggest updating or changing certain parts of your differential for a more effective rebuilding job, but any extras should always be optional.

What parts are needed to rebuild a differential?

A complete rear differential replacement includes replacing the housing, gears, bearings, and seals. The average time it takes a certified mechanic to perform a differential rebuild at a shop is usually three to five hours. A rebuild on a commercial vehicle by someone without prior experience could take much longer.

How much does it cost to rebuild a rear differential?

A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere between $200 and $400. These typical repairs would include your bearing, seals, and fluid changes. Of course, when a gear change is required, that’s when things get pricey. $1,500 is just the minimum you can expect to pay for new gears.

What tools do you need to rebuild a rear end?

Differential Repair Tools

• Race Driver Sets.
• Dial Indicators.
• Dial Calipers.
• Bearing Pullers & Adaptors.

How hard is it to replace a rear differential?

How long will a differential last?

A rear differential service consists of removing the rear differential cover, cleaning any old fluid from inside the differential case, resealing the cover, and adding clean fluid. After a rear differential fluid change, most vehicles will go 20,000 to 40,000 miles before it’s due again.

Can you drive with a bad rear differential?

Technically, you can drive with a bad differential, but it is not wise. The problem may get worse, to the point where it leaves you stranded somewhere. It can also cause damage to other surrounding components. It is smartest and safest not to drive with a bad differential.

Can you drive with a broken differential?

They’re what transfers power to the wheels from the transmission (in a front-wheel-drive setup) or the differential (in a rear-wheel-drive system). If one of your axles is broken, do not drive the car. It’s not safe. If your axles are failing, you’ll still technically be able to drive your car.

How do you set pinion depth?

Pinion Depth – The distance from the face of the pinion gear to the centerline of the ring gear. This is adjusted by adding or subtracting shims to the inner pinion bearing.

Can you drive with a broken rear differential?

What are the signs of a bad rear differential?

What Are The Symptoms of a Bad Rear Differential?

• Difficulty in handling. As the differential is the element which helps handle your vehicle in a turn, once it starts to wear out, precision is not something that will be on your side anymore.
• Tire damage.
• Vibrations.
• Whining Noises.
• Gear Grinding.

How much does it cost to replace rear differential gear?

On average, differential repair can range anywhere from $500 to as much as $2,000. The costs will depend on the mechanic, the location (rear and/or front), the significance of the repair, parts being used if the entire differential has to be replaced, where you live and your car’s make and model.

What is differential rebuild?

Differential Rebuilding. When a differential fails or has been damaged, fixing it requires taking the differential apart and replacing the broken or damaged gears, as well as any other components that may have suffered damage from the failed components.

What is differential rebuild kit?

Basic Differential Rebuild Kit. The Basic Rebuild Kit is assembled for the fully stocked shop and includes the basic parts needed for rebuild a differential: pinion and carrier bearings, pinion seal, o-ring (where applicable), pinion nut, and crush sleeve.

Which is rear differential do I have?

The rear differential is an integral part of your vehicle that transmits torque and rotation through shafts running the length of the automobile. The rear differential allows all four of the vehicle’s wheels to rotate at different speeds which is essential for road traction and stability.