How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Rear Differential?

A rear differential is indispensable as far as a car is concerned. Without one that functions well, you might as well pray that you don’t have a turn ahead cause that’s going to be impossible for you to pull off. That sounds scary, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, you don’t have to discard your vehicle entirely because you can always replace the rear differential.

That said and done, how much does it cost to replace a rear differential? Will it cost an arm and a leg? Absolutely not because the cost can be as low as $1500 or as high as $4000.

Why such a huge range? That’s because it depends on the number of parts to be replaced or if the entire unit has to be changed.

There is only one way to find out and learn much more about the rear differential. Read on!

What Is A Rear Differential, And How Does It Function?

It is a mechanical device that comes in handy when your car takes a turn.

It is no different from its counterpart, front differential, other than its position. Just as the name suggests, it is part of the rear axle.

Are you wondering how a rear differential works?

It all starts with the engine, which supplies power to the driveshaft via the transmission. The rear differential is usually connected to the driveshaft.

It splits that power and distributes it to either wheel differently. After all, they can’t rotate at the same speed since the interior wheels travel a shorter distance than the exterior ones.

Why Do You Need To Replace A Rear Differential?

For a need for a rear differential replacement to arise, one of these things must have transpired.

1. Poor Quality Inside Gear

Sometimes the problem is the manufacturer. For example, the choice of material for your inside gear determines the durability of your rear differential.

If the material is relatively soft steel, the engine’s power and torque will be too much. Consequently, within no time, you will be replacing the rear differential.

2. Oil Leakage

The moment you notice oil drips beneath your car not far from the position of its rear differential, that’s trouble coming right up.

It is a sign that the part is losing its oil which will cause difficulty shortly. On the other hand, oil absence means that moving parts will lack lubrication.

3. Oil Degradation

Did you know that oil degrades over time? Therefore, you need to replace it once in a while for it to work efficiently.

If the oil degraded but you didn’t replace it with clean oil, you may have to replace the rear differential. That’s because the lack of lubrication destroys gear.

4. Driving Style

Some driving styles can compromise your rear differential longevity. For example, pushing it too much, especially during some burnouts or drag racing, will destroy it eventually.

That’s why you need to be as gentle as possible and only use a model designed for racing to race.

When Do You Need To Replace A Rear Differential?

What are the things that tell you it’s time to replace a rear differential? Here is a discussion of a number of them.

1. Challenges Handling Your Car

As your car turns around a corner, do you find it easy or hard? The moment you notice some difficulties, that’s a sign that your rear differential needs a replacement.

After all, adjusting the speed for respective wheels accordingly for turning is impossible under these conditions. Keep in mind that if the damage is extreme, even an accident can occur.

2. Loud Noise

It is no secret that lack of lubrication increases friction leading to noise. If your rear differential lacks oil, you will start to experience high-pitch sounds. It is often a result of loss of oil following a leakage.

3. Uneven Worn-Out Tires

The most common victims of this fate are the inner wheels. Therefore, if they are damaged goods whereas the outer ones are still in good condition, it is time to replace your rear differential.

After all, it is not working as it should. Therefore, both sets of wheels are rotating at the same speed, even during turns.

Consequently, the inner wheels will have to rotate faster, destroying the treads within no time.

4. Vibration

It is a warning more evident when accelerating and is a sign of significantly damaged universal joins of your rear differential.

It makes the driveshaft vibrate. As you accelerate, the vibrations increase to the extent that they are hard to miss.

5. Gear Grinding

Are you experiencing gear grinding? Does the level of that humming noise increase, even more when accelerating?

If the answer to the pair of questions is a resounding yes, high chances are that you need to replace your rear differential.

That’s because it is a sign it is damaged. Therefore, the best course of action is to replace it.

Rear Differential Replacement Cost [7 Things To Look At!]

Once you confirm that your rear replacement has a problem, the amount depends on what needs to be done to correct it. Sometimes, the process is simple, while it can be way too much at other times.

Let’s take a look at various replacements and their respective costs.

1. Replacing The Rear Differential Fluid

This is appropriate when the issue is fluid degradation. First of all, you need to buy the fuel, and its price will range between $80 and $150.

Once you buy it, you will incur labor costs which can be anything between $50 and $70. Therefore, the cost to replace a rear differential fluid ranges from $130 and $220.

2. Replacing The Rear Differential Bushing

The new bushing costs between $5 and $150 and labor is between $100 and $300. Therefore, expect to spend a figure between $105 and $450.

3. Replacing A Rear Differential Seal

For an output seal, the cost is between $70 and $340.

However, if you have to seal the side of the piston, the money required is quite a considerable amount. It ranges between $400 and $800 since it consumes a lot of time.

4. Replacing The Rear Differential Bearing

If your rear differential bearings need to be replaced with new ones, the price ranges from $200 to $400.

5. Replacing The Rear Differential Gasket

It is one of the smallest fixes, and it’s pretty simple and relatively cheap. The price ranges from $150 to $250.

6. Replacing The Rear Differential Pinion Seal

The cost to replace a rear differential pinion seal is $239 to $286.

7. Replacing The Rear Differential Entirely

It is the worst-case scenario when dealing with rear differentiation replacement cases. The cost to replace a rear differential, in this case, ranges from $1500 to $4000.

The former is in the event that only parts such as gears need replacement. However, if there is nothing in your rear differential that can be reused, it could go up to $4000.

Why Is It Important To Replace The Rear Differential?

As much as replacing your rear differential can be expensive, it is a prize worth the price. Replacing it gives you much control over your car, especially when taking a turn.

Consequently, the car becomes safe to drive and you don’t have to replace your car tires all the time if the differential is great.

Remember that the sooner you repair it, the less costly it will be. In the same vein, delaying a replacement could lead to bigger problems that will demand expensive repairs.

The utmost importance of replacing it is to avoid dire consequences such as a wrecked car, severe injuries, paralysis, or even loss of life after an accident.

How To Avoid The Cost To Change A Rear Differential

It is apparent that replacing an entire rear differential can be quite expensive. However, you can avoid incurring it by doing the following:

• Renewing the rare differential fluid after every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
• Undertaking drivetrain inspection every year.
• Pay attention to the signs of a bad rear differential. Seek professional assistance as soon as you notice them.
• Ensure that the fuel capacity is as recommended by the manufacturer at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Are The Factors Affecting The Cost Of Replacing A Rear Differential?

It is no secret that the price range for this service is quite wide.

It depends on the model of your car, what needs to be done, the time it takes, and the requirements. Equally important, various mechanics charge differently for the labor.

Q2. How Can I Tell That There Is A Rear Differential Leak?

There is a striking resemblance between a rear differential fluid and the motor oil. However, the leak of the differential fluid can be seen at the rear.

At other times, it can leak via the axle only to be deposited on your car’s brake. Consequently, its braking distances increase, causing a hard-to-miss noise as you apply your rear brakes.

Conclusion

The article has answered the million-dollar question, how much does it cost to replace a rear differential. It has made it crystal clear that there is no actual cost for its replacement.

Some of the factors triggering the range include various models and requirements, including parts to be replaced and the amount of time.

You know what to be keen on to avoid the problem from becoming worse since it will also be more expensive to fix under such circumstances.