Differential low on fluid n noise, damaged?

Not being an ###, but do you know normal clunking from abnormal clunking?

 

If it has to be rebuilt, just order a replacement and have the shop R&R.

If you give a shop the opportunity to rebuild it, I'd say there's a 80% chance they eff it up.

Just buy Weller or Spicer and call it good.

I'd say 4k$'ish for a reputable one. Probably 5-5500$ by the time you've bought oil, labor, taxes

 

Make a new post looking for mechanic reccomendations in that area. Maybe @Long FLD has a contact?

 

I used Allstate Peterbilt there in Rapid City last year - they were reasonable.

 

Oh, it was just a tank strap I had break - I just remember they were nice folks, and the hourly labor seemed lower than average to me.

I had mine pulled and rebuilt back when I had some spare change, just because they hadn't been touched in 1 mil. Local family shop that specialized in rebuilding them went through them after my mechanic pulled and dropped off. I'm thinking it was $5-6k to do both front and rear.

@wore out has done them on the side of the road - I know it's probably too far from @lester to recommend, and similar for @Oxbow - maybe someone will chime in that has used shops up there.

Bad deal, - not the best time or place to be down.

 

One quart low wouldn't hurt anything. differentials hold several gallons, mine holds 5 gallons. If your differential is making noise, changing the oil in it won't make the noise go away. You will however able to see how dirty and how much metal is in the oil.