If you have shavings in the CAD, chances are there are a couple bushings in there that hold the axles in proper alignment that have worn out, and are no longer doing their job. If you have the time, it isn't too bad of a job to change them. Grab the factory service manual from the FAQ section of this site, and the procedure will be outlined there. (yeah, its a 2001 manual, but, in this case, nothing has changed.....)

 

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. What do you think a front diff job should cost?

 

probably a lot $$$.

i recently removed my front axles and replaced the bushing and bearing at the cad, filed the burrs off the inner axle and collar, replaced axle u-joints, seals, and had recently replaced the bearings and brakes last year.

its a significant amount of work, no doubt about it. if your axles are not broken or damaged, then the cost of the bushings, bearing, u-joints, and seals are under $100, but if you need them - the damn hub bearings are $180 each. axles are also expensive. you have to remove the brakes, so you might as well replace them to.

i'm slow, and it took me about 3 days to do it all. i don't think i could have done it without my impact gun to get the big hub nut off. i also wasted a lot of time making seal install tools, and driving around buying seals, and dicking around trying to pull the carrier. i could do it a lot faster now, but the first time is a lot of bumbling around.