2002 Front CV Shaft splines worn

[zaphod351]

Hope you guys can give me some cheaper advise then my garage did. My 02 1500 is making a grinding noise when shifted out of 4HI to 2HI, the cause was determined to be the right side CV shaft where it mates with the splines on the half shaft coming out of the diff are slipping due to wear. Now I have seen various posts about this that say to replace both the CV shaft and the half shaft, I can see the logic in this. The other thing worth noting here is if I drive it in 4HI for a few minutes and let things heat up a bit the splines seem to grab again and I can run back in 2WD with no noise. But if I park it overnight and let it get cold the noise comes back, going to assume expansion is a work here. My garage wants to replace the whole front diff to the tune of $1800 for a rebuilt unit and labor and axle shafts for a total of $2800. Question is it really necessary to replace the whole diff just to change out the half shafts. Is it possible to just replace the CV shaft and leave the diff alone and still fix this problem, the half shaft shows signs of rust but it's not stripped either.

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[dodge it then ram it]

Send a pm to "Hammerz71" and he can probably help you out.

[HammerZ71]

Unless there is more damage than you are letting on, you should just be able to replace the CV Shaft for a couple hundred bucks. From the little bit you've written, I don't understand the reasoning behind replacing the entire front differential assembly unless there is damage they or you are not letting on about.
Re-manufactured CV Axles are under $200 for the entire unit (inner and outer halves), so I'd go that route first. Even if you have damage to the actual differential, it would have to be either the ring and pinion (under $250) or the spiders (very low cost), so I really can't see you having to replace the whole thing, unless it exploded on you, which it obviously has not.
Find you a different shop and get a second opinion...

[zaphod351]

The resoning as they explained it to me was in order to replace the halfshafts "properly" it should really be done by a shop that specializes in drivetrains. IE my guy called a local shop the does nothing but rebuilt Engines, and drivetrain components. I don't think the general shop I took it too is equipt to repair diffs or at least he didn't want to, other than the wear on the shaft splines there is nothing at all wrong with my front diff.

Sould like I need to take it to another shop. My question was one of in general on this type of setup are the CV shafts "Generally" more prone to wear then the Half shafts, or when they do go they go together. Since this started happening I have been careful not to drive the truck much and when I do (just a mile or 2), leave it in 4WD so at least the splines arn't grinding themselves to death.

I figured I would just replace the CV shaft myself and see how it goes, I just wanted to get a feel from you guys who have been there if this sometimes works or didn't have a prayer before I did all the work.

Thanks for your input

[HammerZ71]

sounds to me they are guessing and wanting to replace the entire thing to make sure they get the problem. Like I said, replace the CV (both halves, it's cheap enough). If it doesn't fix the problem, have a shop open the pumpkin and do a visual inspection. Hell, even an entire ring and pinion ($225) and master install kit with bearings ($100) and the normal labor ($300) isn't anywhere near the original quote you got from the first shop...

[zaphod351]

That's kinda what I was thinking too. AT least I have conformation that $1800 is WAY to much to pay even if the diff needs to be rebuilt, and thats just for the diff itself.

I'll replace the CV's and see where things go from there.

Thanks a bunch Hammer