Rear Axle Overhaul Cost?

[HRTKD]

I took my Ranger in to a shop to have them diagnose what I consider an excessive amount of slop in the drivetrain. When driving up a hill and I let off the gas there will be a delayed loud clunk. They came back and said that then entire rear axle needs to be overhauled. This will entail a new ring gear, pinion, bearings and all seals (pinion seal is definitely leaking, axle seals are good).

They want $980.90 for this. Does that sound right? I have no experience with fixing differentials so I have no plans to do this myself.

They also want $720 to fix a leak on the intake manifold, $856.67 to fix the leaking rear main and $528 to fix a leaking power steering gear box (plus $121 for an alignment). The leaks aren't bad but they are there. I get a small oil spot on my driveway if it's parked, but I think this is from the rear main. I consider myself to be relatively mechanically inclined but I haven't done a rear main, intake manifold or power steering gear box before.

 

[Mac]

Just to give you a perspective, I bought a 8.8 4.10 rear end for $380 with only 17K miles on it. Some people pick them up for a lot less but a lot more miles on them. It's basically a pull the old one and put the new one in. As far as the other issues, might be in line, never had to deal with those.
Dave of the Nord

 

[HRTKD]

I couldn't tell you off the top of my head which axle I have and that's part of my reluctance with replacing the entire rear end with a used one. I have the factory limited slip and I have to make sure I get the right gears since I'm 4x4.

 

[Mac]

Well you mention it's a 4.0L so it's an 8.8. Check the tag or door code to see what ratio. I've gotten mine using car-part.com with good success.
Dave of the Nord

 

[HRTKD]

Given that I've never dealt with a differential before (I have done axle seals/bearings though it was a long, long time ago) going with an entire used axle assembly has a much higher chance of success than me fiddling with the current axle. Though going with a used one has all its own issues.

By the way, thanks for your information.

 

[86 slo-vo]

if we are talking about the truck in you signature its probably not even worth that much to pay to have all that fixed (not knocking the truck its just a fact).

their prices are insanely high considering the work, i would probably never drive by that place again if it were me.

changing the rear axle with a junkyard axle is very simple, if you are mechanically inclined at all it will be just a couple hour job.

 

[HRTKD]

I hear ya on the truck not being worth the repairs. I provided in my original post the short list of items the repair shop brought up. Other items were the radiator (leaking), radiator hoses (old), engine fan (cracked), fan belt (cracked), radiator flush (fluid not bright pink), leaf spring (sagging), transfer case (leaking from rear seal) and the A/C is weak (I have to charge it every 3 months). Most of these I can handle myself. It'll keep me busy and out of my wife's hair.

My Ranger was a hand-me-down from a deceased relative (5 years ago) so there is some sentimental value to it. I've done a lot of work to it but this is the start of the major stuff. When I first got it there were three different brands of tires on it and the engine compartment smoked from all the oil dripping on to the exhaust manifold.

I could get something else but it's a case of better the devil you know than the devil you don't. It's a decent around town vehicle and wicked in deep snow. Plus, it's nice to have a beater truck. My other truck is a Nissan Titan so the Ranger doesn't have to tow anything though I use it every once in a while to get a load of mulch or rocks.

 

[HRTKD]

Got my Ranger back today. The rear axle rebuild resolved the loud delayed clunk sound after letting off the accelerator. The intake manifold fix resolved the hesitation when pressing the accelerator hard and the brakes are also firmer. Apparently the intake manifold leak caused vacuum problems that trickled down to the brake system. Unfortunately it didn't resolve the Check Brake light that comes on if you hold down the brake pedal for an extened period of time. It seems to have a little bit more get up and go too and maybe that will translate into a small improvement in MPG.

A new set of Deaver leaf springs, u-bolts and bushings arrived today and will go on next weekend after the shackles and hangars arrive

 

[legoms013]

I just had a ford 8.8 regeared with new ring and pinion, master overhaul kit, new out bearings/seals, and with labor grand total was $680. That included all labor, parts and time.

I'd say what you were quoted is high by about $300

That just means the guys you took it too aren't doing differentials as their specialty.

The people that I took my axle to (WFO concepts) specialize in differential over hauling and gearsets, so labor is a flat rate + whatever parts cost. In this case, parts where $380 (ring, pinion, 2x outer bearings, pinion bearing, 2x inner bearings, thrust washers, crush sleeve, pinion nut ect ect the whole shabang).

 

[HRTKD]

The place I went to seems to do a lot of Jeeps. At least there were a bunch in the lot.