Rebuild rear axle Vs buy remanufactured complete axle

[Kirth Gersen]

I have 94 K1500 Blazer, 250K miles, with 8.5", 10-bolt, 6-lug rear end.

At 220K miles & 3 yrs ago, the rear gov-lok differential grenaded, twisted an axle shaft, etc. I had a local repair shop install a used, complete rear end that supposedly had only 80K miles.

When the shop told me they "opened it up to adjust gear lash, clearances, etc" my stomach sank -- IMO setting up differentials requires much specialized knowledge and skill, which most shops don't have.

Over the last 3 yrs, the rear end slowly developed what I think is bearing noise & gear whine -- gotten fairly bad now. The 2 options I'm considering are :

1) Find a competent specialty shop to completely rebuild existing rear axle, and optionally install an Eaton True-Trac diff.
or
2) Buy a complete, re-manufactured rear axle assembly (gov-lok again) from NAPA or Autozone.
Might be able to install it myself, although its weight & bulk could be a challenge for a single person.

> > Any comments whether #1 or #2 is likely to be a better long-term solution?
I don't want to crazy overspend, but $100-200 either way is not a big deal if I get a reliable, long term fix. Planning to keep the Blazer for long time.

Option #1, Finding a competent specialty shop in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, is a challenge. Seems 1/2 the cars on the road are disposable & leased hondas, toyotas, or BMWs.
Any shop suggestions would be appreciated.
This place is 100 miles away, any experiences? http://www.theDifferentialAndAxleShop.com

Option #2, both NAPA and Autozone sell the same vendor's re-manuf axle (gov-lok), an ATK RAXP1513B, with a 3 yr warranty, for $1600-1700.
eg, see:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ATKRAXP1513B or
http://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/...differential/383969_0_0?&searchText=RAXP1513B

Rear end seeems to be re-man by this company: http://atkvege.com

 

[Bob L]

I have no experience with the reman re ends but unless you know someone that really knows what they are doing it is probably your safest bet. I am surprised the last shop did anything other than a visual inspection and maybe check the gear pattern . They shouldn't have had to do any adjusting on an operating rear end with that low of mileage. I have a friend that does 4x4 conversions and rebuilds a lot of diffs I wouldn't hesitate to have him do the job or refer friends to him. If I didn't know him I would first look for a used one then go factory reman.

 

[Kirth Gersen]

... I am surprised the last shop did anything other than a visual inspection and maybe check the gear pattern . They shouldn't have had to do any adjusting on an operating rear end with that low of mileage. ...

I was mildly upset when they told me, after I got it back. I agree w/ you, had they simply installed rear end "as is", it probably would have been fine.
The shop owner also stated he poured in limted-slip additive(!), he didnt know the gov-loks specifically shouldn't use it -- but seems unlikely it would harm anything.

 

[Bob L]

It might prevent it from locking as designed but shouldn't kill it. I have always pulled the cover to inspect used rears and to give them fresh fluid but never felt the need to do more than that. I bought a Camaro rear years ago and it was half full of water when I pulled the cover so it does pay to look.