Rear end rebuild recommendations?

[tennesseemike]

hello all, and happy new year to you

i recently experienced a setback with my 1990 Suburban V1500 4X4 SLE

i'm still not 100% sure what the problem is, but i'm looking into the potential costs of the various things i think it might be. i'm beginning to lean towards it's the rear differential that's busted, and i'm wondering if any of yall can give me recommendations on specific parts / manufacturers to use and/or avoid.

a friend recommended pulling a rear differential from a junkyard, and that's certainly something i'll consider, but i thought i would ask yall experts and see what kind of suggestions i get.

thanks.

 

[Bob Purinton]

It would depend on what you'll be doing with your Suburban.
If stock worked good before then rebuild it exactly as it was.
If you want to do a little off roading then get a locker or, at least, a limited slip rear differential. My suburban has a limited slip differential already. I don't know if they are standard or not. It's my first Suburban.
There are many aftermarket sources for beefier parts to make your differential more reliable. Check them out.
Also; www.car-parts.com
This is the same site that auto wreckers use to find a part if they don't have it.
Good luck.

 

[Bob Purinton]

You'll have to do a little research to help you decide.
If stock worked before then rebuild it stock or replace with one that is the same as yours.
www.car-parts.com can help with that. This is the same site wrecking yards use to find you a part if they don't have it. Look around, the part you want may be cheaper in some other part of the country, even with shipping.
Also, there are plenty of aftermarket sources to help with new upgraded parts If you want to beef it up for some better off road capability.
"Google" is your friend.
Good luck.

 

[tennesseemike]

thanks

thanks, gentlemen

i wound up going with a stock rear end and having to replace the bearings to keep it positraction

it's a bit noisy at times but it gets the job done