My regular mechanic suggested that, getting a whole new axle setup. But that was a $675 cost and then figuring another $1250-$1500 (at least) to take the bad one out and put the new one in. And then who know how much more for axle seals and all of that. This could be a $3000 repair before I know what's what.

So I was HOPING I might be able to weld what was there.

 

1200 plus to swap an axle???? Really? That's farking outrageous. It's 3 or 4 hours of work, and a front end alignment. Get one with the right gear ratio, that doesn't have obvious leaks, and call it a day.

 

hopefully my mechanic can do it in 3 to 4 hours - youre right, it shouldnt take that long.

Forgive my ignorance, but is there a stamp on the bell housing or axle to tell gear ratio? Or just turn the input shaft and count the revolutions of the axle?

 

Generally, there is a tag on one of the cover bolts with the gear ratio, however, those are one of the first things to rust away. BOM numbers stamped into the housing should be able to give you what it came with originally, however, if the gears have been changed, only options are to either pull the cover, and have a look, or use the method you suggested.... Turn the driveshaft and count the revolutions to get one tire revolution. Keep in mind, For that to be accurate, BOTH tires have to be turning...... (and in the same direction....) If you have LSD, not a problem, if you don't, it gets more interesting.

 

You could save alot of money and do the work your self then all you really pay out is for alignment use as many of original parts you have and make sure you clean and paint your swap axle with a rust stop paint before putting in. Blocks, jack stands and a floorjack go a long way. Keep it clean so it don't rust out agian. If you live where salt is used or in saliy enviroment make sure to keep clean