Rear End Replacement

[Worktruck]

I posted this over in small truck but have had no replies. Thought you guys might be able to help me out.

 

I have to replace the rear gears in my son's 98 S-10. I ran the RPO's and find that it has 3:73 gears and positrac. Judging by the way its acting I suspect the spiders have failed. Looking for advice as to wether or not to have the rear end rebuilt or go to a salvage yard for another rear end. Truck has 130K on it and don't think he'll have it to much longer. Either way I go what should I expect to pay. If I go the salvage route I will be swapping the rear myself. Just have never rebuilt a rear gear before and know they are real precise. Thanks for any input. Jeff

[mudbug660]

I had the bearing bearing go out on my ranger a while back. The went ahead and replaced the clutch pack and the spider gears and prolly the rest of the bearings. It was around $500. Gear replacement isn't for the first timers. There's special tools needed for backlash and such. I would try the junkyard first. Hope this helps.

[citydriver]

Heck, S-10s are plentifull in my area, so a replacement rear end would be easy to find in Western NY. But you may try and get an estimate for repair, then try to find an axle in the salvage yard and see how much they want for it.........then do the math ......dont forget to add in for extra parts you may need if you swap out the axle (brakes,wheel cyl., spring u-bolts, etc.). This is just a guess,but the axle may cost around $200.00.

 

P.S. IF the S-10 has 4WD, make sure you get the same gear ratio in the replacement rear end.