Shop to Replace Truck Differential
 

I'm looking for a shop to fix/replace the rear differential in my truck.

My 2002 F-350 tow vehicle also serves as my snow removal vehicle. It has never seen as much snow as we had this weekend. Even with mud and snow rated tires and 4X4, I got stuck 6 times. Only one front wheel was spinning, and one rear wheel was spinning. The rear has a factory limited slip, but it appears to be shot. (I know the front is an open diff)

I'm looking for a shop, preferably in the northern Virginia area, that specializes in differentials. I likely will install a Detroit brand Truetrac Torsen rear differential by Eaton, but maybe the factory one can be rebuilt for a lot cheaper.

I'm having a real hard time finding a shop that really knows differentials and specializes in them. Of course, any shop will say they can do a rear diff, but there are some tricky adjustments that need to be just right, and if they are not, the rear end will whine, or prematurely wear out. The parts alone run over $650 for a new Torsen diff, and the one labor quote I got so far takes me to $1,400 for the job. Ouch! In searching, I found an Internet listing for a shop that will rebuild the factory diff for $600, including all parts and labor. Only problem is that this shop is in San Francisco. http://www.rearendspecialties.com/in...s/Page1880.htm

I'm tired of relying on our new Ford Flex to pull out my truck. Does anybody know of a shop that specializes in differential work?

IIRC the truetrac torsen is like a quaife. Put two wheels on ice and you still won't be able to get out. The factory unit is clutch based. I can light up all four of my rear wheels in 2wd mode:) I know alot of folks used to put torsens in the front as it doesn't affect steering manners like a clutch or locker would.

You are correct that a torsen differential will not apply any torque when one one side of the differential is completely free of any resistance. However, a light application of the brake pedal is supposed to provide enough resistance to transfer power to the wheel with traction.

Anyway, if I could find a shop to rebuild my factory differential, that will likely be good enough for me. For a new Eaton limited slip differential for my F-350, the cheapest price for that is $719, just for the diff. Then I need differential carrier bearings, etc. which takes me up to about $1,600 - $1,700 with labor.

Jim... call my friend (and ace mechanic) Dave Planakis at Hartwood Automotive in Fredericksburg, 540-752-2300 and ask him who he recommends, if he himself can't do it (it's 45 minutes from your house to his shop just off I-95). He's very helpful. He's also one of the most knowledgeable mechanics I've ever known.

If you can buy the clutch discs, it might be an easy DIY. We've rebuilt E30 LSDs and its only a couple hr job.

Yeah, thats how the H1s worked.

Hi Richard, thanks for the info. I'll call him tomorrow morning.

I've seen the DIY's for replacing the truck differential. It might be easy if you've done it before, but there are several things which need to be installed with extreme precision. Like anything else, it's easy after the first time. But, since nobody I know has a lot of differential experience and failure to do a proper install could result in a failed differential on the road, I'm inclined to leave this to the pros.

Were they on the diagonal?

Don't know about 2002 4x4 trucks but ...most if not all of the 4WD fords and Chevys I've owned in the past (and jeeps) would spin on the diagonal (F left and R rear) if neither had traction as part of the stock setup.

I put a detroit locker in a mud crawling 4WD Jeep CJ-7 I had (dana axles) ... stopped the diagonal slip problem. Since I was 4-wheelin' ... often had situations where was teeter-tottering diagonally getting across gullys / logs / boulders etc...

Always wanted to take the 4WD system from the rovers (manual F and R lockers when needed) and put it on some 'mercan iron. :lol:

How much is a plow for the Flex? ;)

Not replacing, repairing. If you don't have to take the ring gear off the carrier you don't have to reset the pinion depth. Thats the tricky bit of replacing any diff. In the E30 you can open the end of the carrier & get the clutches & spiders out w/o disturbing the ring. The only tricky part is getting the shallow headed bolts off w/o tearing them up. Don't know if a ford diff comes apart a similar way or not.