Used
differentials are just pulled out of a car, nothing
has been done to them. The only guarantee is that they
don't have broken gears. The typical problem; gear
backlash (slop) is how we break them down into A B C
condition. The "A", "B", or "C" are in the part
number. The A's are as good as we see; unusually tight
units. The B's are your typical good used rear end. An
increased likelihood of whining but so far---we
haven't heard back of any whine problems on the A or B
condition units. The C's definitely are in the WORN
category.
If
trying to get rid of a "whine" problem, a used
differential may be better or worse. Most cars don't
whine noticeably, so the odds are you'll improve your
situation, but there is NO GUARANTEE of that. The only
guarantee with these is that a gear is not broken and
everything turns. Depending on how they have worn
and/or how carefully they were originally assembled
even pretty tight ones can be louder than necessary.
All we look at as far as bearings go is if they don't
feel "right" when spun. Generally the units that have
little wear to gears have had little use to the
bearings or at least good clean oil throughout their
life; but it is not guarantee.
Usually
the only correct way to reduce whine is to replace or
rebuild your unit with a new ring and pinion.
Sometimes all it takes is reshimming the rear end.
This is a complicated procedure for the novice; and
best left to a shop that specializes in that kind of
work.. You are welcome to experiment with a used
drop-in unit; but keep in mind everytime one of these
is shipped to you or to us YOU have lost $40-$60 in
delivery and packing costs .Used differentials are
exchangeable for another unit if not as
described.
You
may need to change a bearing in ANY used differential.
If we see something obviously wrong we note it. That
doesn't mean if we don't see it the problem isn't
there. Differentials should be cleaned, including
rinsing and blowing out the bearings. Although it goes
against my nature; selling a non pristine part; the
truth is if I took the time to clean everything NONE
of these parts would be for sale; there just isn't
time anymore. Always worthwhile to throw a new seal(s)
in a transmission, differential, differential housing
or timing cover when they are pulled for any
reason.
On
some of the differentials; including the "A" units;
there can be very slight corrosion sometimes on some
tips of some of the ring gear teeth. These are
typically those areas that lost oil cover over the
sometimes very long storage durations. Part of the
reason some of the differentials are worn so little is
we have some rear axle housings that have not been in
a car for over 30 years; and the car could have been
damaged long before that. This corrosion sometimes
just wipes off or comes off easy with a putty knife;
whatever; the first few feet of driving will eliminate
it.
The
1600 and 2000 differentials are directly
interchangeable. The 1600 has a ratio of 3.9, the 2000
is 3.7. Very rarely do we see a 4:11; which a few cars
came with; and a few more have been retrofitted with.
The 1500 differential can only be replaced by another
1500 unit.
Differentials
as with many big or heavy parts need to be prepaid
with a US Postal Money order or a $200 deposit of the
same. These have been far quicker than other money
orders; which can take us WEEKS to get verifiable
clearance on as opposed to usually 1-3 days for a USPS
money order. You can also pay for half of it with a
USPS money order and the other half with a card. Email
for shipping so you can get total.