Toyota RAV4 Forums banner

2004 Rav4 rear differential bearings

4K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  Commando 
#1 ·
Hi there, I've been experiencing a loud hum which I thought was coming from the front of my 2004 rav4 and I assumed it was a wheel bearing.
I took it to a garage and was informed that it was a bearing in my rear differential and was referred to a specialist, when i called the specialist
the ask for a quote he told me that he would have to drop the transmission and split it because its all tied in with the rear differential and encased
together and quoted me $1500. Which i can't understand why he would have to drop the transmission and split it to change the rear differential bearings
and i feel like he's trying to take advantage of me. I've done some research on the matter and found that it should only cost $800 including labor to have
this done, and haven't found anything saying the transmission needs to be dropped and split. So here I am asking for anyone's advice on this situation.

Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
If I understand well, the bad bearing is not in the rear diff... but in the transfer case. It is bolted to the transmission.
 
#3 ·
The first shop told me the rear differential bearings were bad, not the transfer case, when i told the next shop what i was told from the first shop (Keep in mind they have not seen or looked at my vehicle) they told me they would have to drop the transmission and split it. Now am i missing something or is the rear differential the same thing as the transfer case?
 
#4 ·
You first told that the sound was coming from front... and the garage told you they would have to separate it from the transmission. That's why I talked about the transfer case. But if it's the rear diff, 30 min is enough time with a lift and air tools to drop the diff.
 
#5 ·
The first shop put the car on a lift and and put the car in drive while they inspected for noise and confirmed it was coming from the rear differential and said it the sound must have made its way through the drive train since its all connected for the reasoning on why it sounded like it was coming from the front but told me they didn't have the tools to do it and referred me to the second shop. So it seems to me the second shop is trying to take advantage of me.
 
#6 ·
Buy a used rear diff from a scrap yard. It will be cheaper than rebuilt yours.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top