Replacing a 2008 Tribeca Rear Differential

[eganlohman]

I was told I needed to flush my rear diff, but I forgot.  Then I took my 2008 tribeca (with > 130k) on a 3200 mile road trip.  On the way home, I started hearing a deep rrrring noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle.  Then the rear diff temp light came on the dash.  Took it to my mechanic and he said the rear diff bearings were shot.  Said he could probably replace mine with a used one for $2k (parts + labor).  That sucks, but I figured it's the price I've got to pay for being an idiot.  

 

However, even though I said go for it, he hasn't gotten back with me.  I keep calling him, and he says he hasn't heard back from his guys, so I think how hard could it be to find a used one?  Subaru kept the tribeca the same from 08 - 14, there has to be a ton of these vehicles out there.   So I googled it and indeed found a ton on ebay starting around $300.  So now I'm thinking, what am I missing?  My mechanic wants to charge me two grand, but I can get a used rear diff with roughly 90k miles on it for $300.    

 

Here is a link to a part on ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-2014-SUBARU-TRIBECA-CARRIER-ASSEMBLY-REAR-3-58-RATIO-1554138-/321810569577?fits=Year%3A2008%7CMake%3ASubaru%7CModel%3ATribeca&hash=item4aed679969:g:x5EAAOSwLVZVqp2w&vxp=mtr

 

It has ~92k miles on it, and came off a 2011.  So my questions are: 1) is this the part I need, are there other parts I'm not considering?  2) How difficult is it to replace a rear diff?  I'd like to do this job myself if possible. 3) Will I need any special tools? 4) Anyone got any tips/suggestions for doing this cleanly?

 

Cheers, and thanks!

 

Egan

[ocei77]

Look up the fsm first.There is a jdm site, but my link is not working now.

Its not an easy job.

The best is a lift , because crawling around under 14" of clearance is no fun.

Haven't done a Tribeca, but this is what I had to do for a Legacy.

Drop the exhaust. Removing any o2 sensor plugs first.

Remove heat shield. Remove section of drive shaft close to ext housing.(Legacy is two piece)

Remove rear diff.

IIRC it took me two  and a half hours.

I have no idea what you have to remove to get to it.

 

O.

[1 Lucky Texan]

story seems weird.  price seems high.

 

anyway, get another opinion - maybe ask in a new thread for a shop recommendation near you.