Ohhhh yes. It gets really nasty noisy. I don't like running 4WD on dry roads though so I don't do it for any duration. Just went around the block.

 

Probably the chain is stretched...

 

Official diagnosis from the mechanic is rear diff. Cheaper fix than a T-Case.

 

Really? What's it need?

 

Cheapest route is a new diff.

Diff swap is a couple hours labour.
Diff rebuild is 5 ½ hours.

Wrecker diff is a bit more than parts to rebuild the existing.

No brainer.

 

That works. Find one with a posi.

 

did it break a tooth or is it just a dead pinion bearing?

 

advice from having worked the other side of the counter- it may only be the pinion bearing, but you'll be sold on a whole rebuild to pump up sales numbers. Unless the tech actually takes out back and shows you the broken tooth, don't take his word for it. Don't even trust a photo.

 

Naw, this guy is a straight up dude. Friend of mine took his vehicle in for brake work because they were making noise. They looked at his brakes, noted that they weren't in need of replacement, just cleaning. So they cleaned em up and handed him a bill for less than 50 bucks.

This guy didn't even charge me for bringing my truck in the shop, putting it up on the hoist, torquing my front shaft bolts, and diagnosing the driveline.