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Do I Need a Differential Rebuild?

“Differential rebuild” is not something you hear discussed often, because it isn’t something that needs to be done very often. As long as vehicle owners keep up with maintenance, most vehicles won’t need a differential rebuild during their time on the roads — but, if you are in an accident or do experience a problem with your differential, repairing it is important to your safety and the health of your vehicle on the roads of Madison and Waukesha.

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What is a Differential?

The differential is a critical part of your vehicle’s drivetrain that splits the engine’s torque between the wheels so that they turn at different rates when needed. This system comes into play when turning corners in particular. Differentials vary depending on the drivetrain:

  • Standard rear-wheel-drive vehicles have the differential on the rear axle.
  • Front-wheel-drive vehicles have the differential on the transaxle.
  • All-wheel-drive vehicles have differentials on both the front and rear.

Signs You Need a Rear Differential Rebuild

If you need a rear differential rebuild, there are warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore, including:

  • Whistling noises
  • Clunking or rumbling noise near the axle
  • Sluggish performance
  • Vibrations
  • Gear grinding

If you experience any of these issues, make sure you schedule an appointment with your local Chicago-area service center to avoid further damage. While some issue might be quickly resolved, you don’t want to risk ruining your vehicle by avoiding a differential rebuild shop.

How to Rebuild a Rear Differential

Visiting a service center could help avoid a full differential rebuild, as sometimes a simple repair can solve the problem. Possible repairs include:

  • Rear differential gasket replacement
  • Rear differential pinion seal
  • Differential side seals
  • Rear differential bearing replacement
  • Replacing the rear differential gears

A complete rear differential replacement includes replacing the housing, gears, bearings, and seals. The average time it takes a certified mechanic to perform a differential rebuild at a shop is usually three to five hours. A rebuild on a commercial vehicle by someone without prior experience could take much longer.

Check Your Rear Differential at Badger Truck & Auto Group

Avoid vehicle damage and time-consuming repairs by scheduling a service appointment at the Badger Truck & Auto Group service center — we even have the dedicated Badger Rebuild Center at 4375 N. 127th St. in Brookfield, WI. Our service technicians specialize in trucks and commercial vehicles and have all the equipment and OEM parts necessary for the repairs. We also have a rotating selection of service specials to keep your business vehicles running at an affordable rate!

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