How much should it cost to repair the front deifferential on a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer?

Question

My front differential broke and I wanted to know if I drive it to the mechanics will that make it worst and how much should I pay to get it fixed? One mechanic told me only a ford dealer mechanic can fix it and it would cost about 3,000 dollars. Another mechanic told me he could fix it for 650 dollars. That's a great difference in price and don't know how much I should actually pay. I don't want to get ripped off and I also don't want a crappy job done either. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

It costs a sheetload of bucks

Answer 2

Well, it really all depends on what is wrong and what is going to need to be repaired. If you need a complete front end assembly and are going to the dealer, then I would expect about $3000 or so. But if it is just a leaking pinion seal, it wouldn't even cost a tenth of that. You have to look at what the failure is. What is the cause of the problem? Are you looking at bearings? Then the $650 from the independent might be a little more accurate. Are the actual gears in need of replacement? the carrier? are the alxes or the case shot as well? You need to figure out what can and what can't be re-used. That makes all the difference in the world in the repair.

I would also take into account that if the front end needs a complete rebuild I would take it to a differential guru. That is to find a technician that has a lot of differential repairs under his belt. If you don't get one set up properly, you have the potential for noise, wear, premature failure, etc. I would look for a tech that has done a lot of them (successfully) and a shop that will stand behind him if you start to hear any funny noises shortly after the repair.

Answer 3

Dealerships always charge more because its on the insurance thing you bought, and if it isn't its a great lesson to you to buy it in teh future. the 650 guy is probably a down home backyard good ole boy an dmore then likely the one to go with. I have had more trouble with the dealerships then I can tell ya on here.
First thing to do whenever you need your car fixed is call an auto supply store, here we have Autozone and Murrays, find out how much your part costs, on this one it matters if your 2 or 4 wheel drive.
Then judging by that you take their price and how long it takes to do the job and figure out how much they are charging you for labor... This should not be some crazy number like 300 dollars an hour.. Fifty is reasonable..
Always ask for your old parts back when the job is done, this is the law and it helps you not get ripped off.
I always go with beighborhood garage guys, they need the repeat business and will not screw you over. Dealerships can screw you over as they please and they are the only ones you can go to as per your warranty blah blha blah

Answer 4

If you replace one, do the other and both sides as well for piece of mind. If you want to check them put a jack under the control arm and wiggle wheel up and down to see if there is play. Side to side play will be a tie rod issue. Keep in mind that after replacing the upper ball joint(you must mark both nuts on top), if you do not get it exactly perfect, an alignment will be required. If the shop doing the alignment finds a ball joint or tie rod with play they will not align it without replacement-so check them first so you don't feel stupid at a shop.

Answer 5

3,000 is crazy. You could get the whole front end replaced for less than that. Ask the dealer. Not "One mechanic"
"My front differential broke" doesn't really tell anybody much.

Answer 6

Mercury Mountaineer Front Differential

Answer 7

it will really depend on whats wrong with it,get it diagnosed at ford then if they seem to high chech other shops with what ford told you,it could be a switch or it could be totaled ,hard to say without knowing what its doing