Diff Gears Change

[Ron Sutton]

I charge $325-375 labor for a gear change depending on what rear. I will ONLY use Timken US bearings and depending on the rear, the kits run $125-$175. Gears are another story altogether. For daily drivers I strongly recommend OEM gear sets for noise. If it is anything else, I make the customer supply the gear set.

Lots of guys will do the $200-$250 swap, but they are simply swapping parts, reusing the same shims and hoping for the best. Rear gears have to be setup with the proper tools to get the best longevity and lowest noise possible. This isn't the $50 Raytech pinion depth tool. I have a set that is an OEM tool and VERY accurate for setting pinion depth and backlash/preload, a dial torque wrench for setting turning torque for pinion bearing preload, and a non Chinese dial indicator. I would look for a shop with quality tools that isn't afraid to show you what they use to setup gears.

Good advice Craig !