I ended up getting a used one with 35k miles on it, for 600 EUR. Should have my baby up running again next week!

Now, what are the other service items which make sense to replace while replacing the diff, to save on labor costs? For example, which bushings are related to the parts removed for a diff change?

Now, what to do with the old diff. Should I just scrap it, or is there a company that could rebuild it, so I could later sell it? Should I just put it on Ebay as a "broken XKR diff with 100k miles". I wonder if anyone would buy that...

 

Finally got the car back after waiting for parts and mechanic. Diff is now replaced with the one I found on eBay. Mechanic called me and said the u-joints were also in need of replacement, was quoted 880 EUR for the 4 rear axle u-joints alone! Luckily I found some OEM replacements on eBay (again!) for 150 EUR and had them delivered directly to the garage.

Further the mech replaced the stabilizer links and bushings and added some new bolts since some old ones had seized. Total cost of this operation:

Used diff (35k miles): 600 EUR
U-joints: 150 EUR
Labor, links, bushings and bolts: 1220 EUR
Total: 1970 EUR (2442 USD)

Pretty hefty bill, but I think the mech's cost wasn't too bad for the work required.

 

Seems the original question asked about replacing the bearing. Why did most of the responses address replacing the entire differential?

 

Have a 2000 XKR that is exhibiting the noises related to a differential pinion bearing failure. Have tried several different searches on You Tube but nothing related other than the great shot on the lift. If anyone can give us a link to a video I'm sure we would all appreciate it.

 

The issue is cost. Taking the diff apart and replacing the pinion bearing has to be done by a specialist. There are none around my area, besides, parts and labor would probably be more expensive than finding a good used low/mileage diff.

 

Do you have the noise in exactly the same place as in my video? Just make sure it is not the diff output bearings - they can be replaced without taking the diff out.

 

I have yet to get it up on jacks and pin it down. The sound is the same and I wanted background info on the problem. Thanks for the heads up on the output bearings. Plan on getting up this afternoon yet, but going to run it around the track at Road America for a "Fall Color" cruise this evening. Hope it holds up.

 

Put the car on stands at the rear and ran it up. Same noise as usual. Crawled under and noticed gear oil on the support under the input pinion boss. Any possibility the rear end is just low on oil? BTW, looks like servicing alone might be a bear.