Rear Differential/ Carrier replacement

[chain]

I am new here. You guessed it. I have a problem. Wife's 2004 AWD Vibe has rear diff noise. Dealer checked and said it would be alot of $$$ to go in and see what is wrong. I was thinking of getting a used low mileage and trying install myself. Any suggestions ? Lube tech at the quik-lube said filler plug on diff was stripped and he couldn't do a fluid check/fill. Any chance adding fluid will help/cure?? Thank you

[joatmon]

Welcome to genvibe.

It couldn't hurt to check the oil level, but it won't help if the noise is from something worn out. If its bad, I'd likely get a replacement from a wreck instead of paying a shop to rebuild it.

[Salsa Guy]

The Rear Diff in these cars have known issues with seeping seals. If you hear the noise then it's more than likely too late. Most quick lube places don't even check the rear diff or tranSfer case fluid because they don't know it is a AWD (really a 4wd). I changed the seals at 90K after reading about on here and MO. I also upgraded both fluids.

It'll be a $2K repair. Replace the seals and fluid in the used Diff and check the transfer case seals and fluids.

[chain]

What would you sat the degree of difficulty was ? last year end I changed was a '69 Nova, back in the day. Thank you

[Salsa Guy]

I don't have any idea how hard it is. Had my local machanic do the seals for me, about $150 for both sides. My buddy and I put the lowering springs on the the rear and that wasn't too bad. Try posting on MO (Matrixowners), there is some guys that may have done the work.

[jasonvibe]

I am new here. You guessed it. I have a problem. Wife's 2004 AWD Vibe has rear diff noise. Dealer checked and said it would be alot of $$$ to go in and see what is wrong. I was thinking of getting a used low mileage and trying install myself. Any suggestions ? Lube tech at the quik-lube said filler plug on diff was stripped and he couldn't do a fluid check/fill. Any chance adding fluid will help/cure?? Thank you

Wow, sorry to hear filler plug stripped. FYI- to strip it usually means it was cross threaded. It seems someone did not use a torque wrench either. BIG question- Who did the fluid service on the rear diff.? Sometimes you can tap out the bad threads to a larger size. But if the rear diff. is bad. Then replacement is the only choice. I have changed my fluids front and rear 2 or 3 times each already, using 75w140 Mobil1. The rear plugs are easy 10mm hex-allen. The fronts are big momba headed plugs. The front filler is a pain...as a torque wrench does not clear. So marking the plug before removal helps. I am approaching 90k. Hope I don't need to deal with leaking seals anytime soon..

[chain]

I went back in tonight and got both the drain plug and the fill plug out. They were seeping but I had plenty of fluid. The "stripped" issue was the hex allen portion, it was rounded off. I am filtering the fluid now thru tissue paper to see if there is any metel in there. I don't expect much becaus ethe drain hole doesn't appear to be at the very bottom. I did grab the axels and got a little chuck out of them when I pulled the up and down in and out. Should one expect that as normal ? Thank you

[bluneon]

there is no reason to filter out the fluid. the drain plug has a magnet in it to collect the ferrous metallic matter from the fluid.

[chain]

No metal on the plugs. No metal in the fluid and I stuck a magnet in the drain hole, no metal. I am wondering if it is rear diff noise or something else. I think I am going to put fluid in it and drive. Thank you

[bluneon]

are you sure it's not a wheel bearing?

[chain]

Wheel bearings have been replaced, both sides once and one side twice under warranty from the dealer. I thought it was wheel bearing, Sue took Vibe in assuming they would tell us it was a wheel bearing, but Dealer said noise was coming from differential. Like I said no metal in fluid and after a 20 mile drive put my hands all ove the differential and can't find anything abnormally hot. I think I am going to put new plugs and fluid in today and monitor noise level. Thank you

[Salsa Guy]

On my car the past 4-5 months there was a noise at high speed then it started at lower speeds. Once the Tires were replaced it the car sounds and rides great.
A bad Tire maybe or the the wear bars starting to show?