Differential Assembly Replacement

Just got the call from the local shop - the diff is eaten up, got a bad wheel bearing and the pinion bearing is bad. So...replace the entire pumpkin.

I have a 4x4 OR with the factory e-locker.

Lookin for parts right now - does this work?
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-131078-8-tacoma-fj-cruiser-4runner-e-locker-3rd.html

Or do I have to go with this:
https://toyotaparts.lagrangetoyota....5PTIwMDQmdD1wcmUtcnVubmVyJmU9My00bC12Ni1nYXM=

 

Without seeing things in person.

When the pinion bearing failed it took out both the pinion and ring gear ? Was this not making lots of noise??

Go with East Coast Gear built differential !! Check on the core charge ! Most likely the cheaper option in the long run!!



Rather then repairing yours with all the labor time !! Good Luck!!

Will a new ring gear and pinion plus the bearing fix things?

 

I'm going up to the shop to talk to the owner in a few minutes but from what we talked about on the phone...
He said the teeth of the diff were really worn - as if it had been heated up and driven on. Perhaps with low fluid. When the truck was making the noise, I drove it about 15 to 20 miles - he didn't think that driving would do the damage he is seeing.

His suggestion was to just replace the entire diff and not rebuild. The said labor for rebuilding would be 2k+ and not worth it. So, I was thinking to just replace it with something from East Coast Gear.

I'll look into the Core Charge. Does that program mean they send me a rebuilt and I send them my old one?

I think the diff is toast in addition to these two. And I need both wheel bearings replaced. So...I think the whole diff assembly is the way to roll.

 

In most cases that is what happens it depends if your differential meets East Coast Gears core specs !!

If not your also buying the core which could run a few hundred.

Then you also might have a build time wait .

I would call and talk on the phone.

Good luck!!

 

Much obliged @Bivouac

I'll give them a call. I'm curious what the gear ratio is. Looks like the core deposit is $950. Makes the total 1.7k. Thats spicy

 

OP,

OP,
You said you have a E-locker diff. The Toyota diff. you linked is the more common NON E-locker diff. This looks to be the more expensive E-locker diff. but verify it is correct for your VIN: 1996-2004 Toyota Tacoma Carrier Assembly 41110-35861 | LaGrange Toyota


ECGS can do an exchange on your diff. I am currently doing an exchange with them on the front 7.5" clamshell diff. for my '97 Taco. They had a time slot open up so ECGS built the clamshell and had it to me in just 4 days. Check with ECGS on current lead time & core charge. If I needed a rear diff. for my Taco, it would be from ECGS and not Toyota. Best of luck!

 

Thanks for catching my error, for the link and for endorsing ECGS. I was just about to head to the shop with the wrong printout in tow. It seems ECGS is the way to go. I'll give them a call about lead times

 

Happy to help. ECGS core policy on E-locker is below: Core Policies (eastcoastgearsupply.com)

CORE CHARGE:

Your cores must be in transit back to East Coast Gear Supply within 30 Days of receipt of new differential or you will be charged a restock fee.
Restock Schedule: • 45 Days 15% • 90 Days 30% • 120 Days + 50%

E-locker Differentials

• Carrier Assemblies must be in usable condition (no excessive rust, broken, spun bearings, excessive runout, etc)
• Spider Gears must be in usable condition (not broken, stripped out, etc)
• Differential Housings must be in usable condition (no excessive rust, broken, etc)
• Damaged Ring & Pinions or Bearings are of no consequence
• T8.75 E-locker cores must be returned with the plunger guard attached

 

story makes sense to me...Pinion bearing failure can happen if fluid is low enough that oiling is insufficient. When the pinion bearing fails the contact pattern can change and accelerate wear of the ring and pinion if not total eventual failure. Not to mention the metal particulates from the pinion bearing cage likely getting munched by the gears.

I caught a pinion failure earlier this year and a golf ball size clump of metallic glitter was in the oil when I drained it.

ECGS is good to go for rebuilt thirds, I'm running several from them without issue. Their phone service is great as well.

 

Your core could go either way Good luck!!

 

Definitely going ECGS. Just gotta get an idea on lead time and avail for what I need