There’s a loud noise coming from my rear differential. I know it’s the pinion making the noise. How much money one average would it take to just have the pinion bearings, seal, and gears replaced ?
I normally don’t recommend junkyard engines and trannys unless your able to do the work yourself. But for rear differentials I think you will find buying a used one and having someone swap it for you usually is much cheaper. As long as they pull the cover make sure it’s ok and put in fresh fluid they can last a long time. I would get a quote on rebuilding yours, and a quote on swapping yours with a used one as long as they swap fluid and put in new seals.
It’s my understanding the early ones had cheaper parts and manufacturing issues. People having the same issue as you at 80k miles or earlier, but one From a 2009 - 2011 should fit into your truck and they had less problems in those years. Check with whoever you are having do the work to make sure. Or if you can do it yourself it isn’t to hard to compare them. Also if your truck is 4x4 your gonna have to make sure the replacement is the same gear ratio.
As far as cost, most transmission places can charge up to 1500 for a rear end rebuild. Buy a used one and getting it swapped should be much cheaper. Definitely try get one from a later model year if you can. Most places can source one for you.