Rear diff is whining loudly between ~25 & 65 MPH. Became suddenly noticeable mid-November but little change since. Even took a gamble and did a long-planned drive to Phoenix and back for Thanksgiving with, thankfully, no issues.
Shop quote for stock repair is ~$1100 (new r&p, pinion bearing, etc.) Stock gearing is usable though obviously not great. Essentially double to regear.
Here's what I'm working with:
- Dana 35
- Stock gearing
- 31s
- Only vehicle, daily driver, weekend warrior
- No garage or driveway of my own
- Have most common hand tools for basic automotive repair, a cordless impact, and a cordless angle grinder. Not afraid to get dirty and have done basic repairs in parking lots and exactly one bolt-on upgrade in a friend's driveway (an adjustable trackbar that turned into a minor epic...)
- Might have access to a shop lift for a night or 2 with enough warning but can't count on that
As it is, unless it really starts to sound bad—or explodes—I have to hold out until tax refund season.
Need experienced advice on solutions that make sense economically and for my needs, which won't change largely for the life of this rig:
- Fix with stock gearing?
- Regear?
- Try to source used axles from 5 speed with 4.10?
- _______?
Shop quote for stock repair is ~$1100 (new r&p, pinion bearing, etc.) Stock gearing is usable though obviously not great. Essentially double to regear.
Here's what I'm working with:
- Dana 35
- Stock gearing
- 31s
- Only vehicle, daily driver, weekend warrior
- No garage or driveway of my own
- Have most common hand tools for basic automotive repair, a cordless impact, and a cordless angle grinder. Not afraid to get dirty and have done basic repairs in parking lots and exactly one bolt-on upgrade in a friend's driveway (an adjustable trackbar that turned into a minor epic...)
- Might have access to a shop lift for a night or 2 with enough warning but can't count on that
As it is, unless it really starts to sound bad—or explodes—I have to hold out until tax refund season.
Need experienced advice on solutions that make sense economically and for my needs, which won't change largely for the life of this rig:
- Fix with stock gearing?
- Regear?
- Try to source used axles from 5 speed with 4.10?
- _______?