Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear Differential

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 19, 2005 | 12:37 AM
  #1  
cprescott's Avatar
cprescott
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Rear Differential

What should i expect to pay for either a complete rear differential rebuild or installing a used rear end? I've gotten two quotes so far and both seem to be about the same. Upwards of $900 to throw in a used one and between $900-$1300 for a rebuild. Is this about right?
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2005 | 12:42 AM
  #2  
kameronth's Avatar
kameronth
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 38
From: North Dakota
I am guessing that you have an 8.8? To me that sounds a little steep. I had my rear end rebuilt, new rear axles, and 4:10's put in the front and rear diff. for $1200. Mine is also limited slip. I would look around a little more. If the ring and pinion are good I would look into doing it myself.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2005 | 12:01 PM
  #3  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Yes if you keep your original gearing then your ring and pinion is probabally fine. I replaced my out of a 28 yr. old truck and they were fine, but I also wanted to change my gears so it was worth it. I got new ring and pinion, a master install kit(with all bearings and seals) and a LS and labor for alittle over $800.

What do you want to do to your rear end, if you want us to trully help you this would be some usefull info.

IF you put a locker, new gears, and master install kit then that price doesn't sound to bad.
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 02:01 AM
  #4  
aurgathor's Avatar
aurgathor
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
$900 seems a little steep -- I paid $600 for one, including $100 core + tax, but could've gotten one for around $300 if I didn't want a LSD. Prices depend a lot on where you live, but I'd call around, and if the prices are high in your area, it might be worth to buy one elsewhere and pay for shipping. (I never tried a truck shipment -- and an 8.8" rear axle is heavy!) but sometimes they can be had for as little as a couple hundred bucks.
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 08:29 AM
  #5  
FS88Bronco's Avatar
FS88Bronco
Junior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Florida
A few months back, I removed driveshaft from '88 Bronco and took it to a shop to be rebuilt. Trunion was chewed up, required cutting old part off and welding a new one in place, plus new joints, high speed balancing.
While the truck was up on jackstands, I decided to remove cover from differential and change the gear oil. Upon inspection, the large ring and pinion gears were in good shape with little play, but both idler(?) pinion gears were missing one tooth on each side. Was told by mechanic at driveline shop, that "side" and "pinion" gears, allow axles to turn at a different ratios, when vehicle is in process of turning. Purchased a new gear set for the 8.8 [four gears, thrust washers, pin] for about $170. ... installation was relatively simple.
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 12:03 PM
  #6  
cprescott's Avatar
cprescott
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I just found out from the shop that there is nothing salvagable. Everything including axle shafts all gearing (ring & pinion/spider) etc..is completely shot. They said they've found a rear end from a 94 Bronco w/ approx. 90,000 miles-90day warranty. Shop would obviously verify its condition before install. But, they've given me a high-end quote of $1200 which would include a new wheel cylinders/brake setup if neccessary. Does this seem a little steep for used? It does have to be shipped 500+ miles.
 

Last edited by cprescott; Jul 20, 2005 at 12:05 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 12:26 PM
  #7  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
You could check ebay, but I don't know how much you could rely on those, but it's worth looking at to get some prices in your mind
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 12:32 PM
  #8  
Kemicalburns's Avatar
Kemicalburns
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
yes the rear end should only run you anywere from $100-$400. if you have 2 jack stands and basic tools you can do a rear end swap in a few hours. i would have the rig towed home because they are rapen ya
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 12:37 PM
  #9  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
$1200 is nuts for a used rear axle. Try a junkyard in your area, and install it yourself. It's very easy to do.
 
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2005 | 04:39 PM
  #10  
cprescott's Avatar
cprescott
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
So, I had the used rear-end put in and other than the gear grinding sound disappearing the truck is still shifting hard along with the infamous clunk when putting in gear (especially reverse). Which were the original diagnosed symptoms leading to the repairs performed. Both places I went to originally informed that they were unable to find anything wrong with the transmission..and that the problem was the differentail. It now also sounds/feels like it's kinda loose back there as between hard shifts I noticed a clunky rattle?
I know the E4OD's are problematic. The guy even went so far as to try to blame some of the hard shifting on the warmer weather. Any one have anymore input on some of these symptoms?
 

Last edited by cprescott; Jul 23, 2005 at 04:54 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2005 | 05:33 PM
  #11  
Jdenninger's Avatar
Jdenninger
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
check your u-joints
 
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2005 | 03:38 AM
  #12  
aurgathor's Avatar
aurgathor
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
The clunk? You just need to grease the slip yoke -- it's in the rubber boot in the drive shaft.
 
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2005 | 08:12 AM
  #13  
j.e.lacroix's Avatar
j.e.lacroix
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: southern vermont
Smile lotta money and a lotta miles!!!

there's got to be one cheaper and closer than that make sure that it is the same gear ratio as the old one [ axle code on the drivers door post] h9 is a 3.73 and trac-lock any one know for sure if a half ton pick-up is the sameand there's and lot of years they used the same set -up maybe if you posted this in the driveline section further down the main page some of the "gear heads" know this stuff and maybe guide you to some help good luck save some of that money for play
john
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2005 | 01:31 AM
  #14  
FS88Bronco's Avatar
FS88Bronco
Junior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Florida
cpresscot, A loud clunk when putting it in reverse, is most likely caused by excessive play in the driveshaft cardigan(?) u-joints. Also, the side gears in my 1988 rear end (150K) had excessive wear, before I replaced them. One can not judge "wear" solely by mileage on the odometer, driver habits, poor maintenance, off-road use, towing trailers, etc. could accelerate wear on any part in a vehicle.
As for the hard shifting issues; you didn't state when it all began. Is it possible that a previous owner had a shift kit installed in the tranny?
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2005 | 09:39 AM
  #15  
Kemicalburns's Avatar
Kemicalburns
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
the mlp solenoid on the tranny may cause hard shifting also the VSS sensor in the rear diff could be bad. a stock bronco/f150 never came with 3.73 gears. they either had 3.08,3.55,4.10's thats it. sounds like this shop is bogus anyways because wamer weather wouldnt affect the tranny unless your tranny cooler isnt doing its job or you dont even have one then maybe.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:14 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE