$476 to assemble an 8 3/4 diff

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Sirsmiley9

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I brought an unassembled 8 3/4 rear end with new parts and a shop wants 476 for 4 hours of work to assemble it. This seems rather high I was expecting 200-300 range any advice on this
 
It doesn't seem too far out of bounds for an entire 8 3/4 build if it includes pressing bearings on the axles and setting up the chunk.
I've spent a couple hundred just on the ring and pinion setup.
 
That's what happens when you take your hamburger to Mcdonalds and ask for a Big Mac.
 
that sounds cheap.is there a warranty? I mean really 500 bucks aint chit these days...500 gets you an 8 3/4 core that needs rebuilt...:lol:
 
I brought an unassembled 8 3/4 rear end with new parts and a shop wants 476 for 4 hours of work to assemble it. This seems rather high I was expecting 200-300 range any advice on this
$476 for a shop to do it or
let’s do some math:
Harbor Freight indicator set: $34.99
Harbor Freight dial caliper: $21.99
Autozone, Oreilys free loaner tool seal/bearing driver set: Free
or buy from Harbor Freight: $39.99
Factory Service Manual: should already have

Total: $97 + tax if buying all the tools or $57 +tax if using Loan a tool for the seal/race driver set, not including the 20% off HF coupon on one item deal they always have.

So that’s either about $65 or $108 ?? just for the only required tools to DIY. (Driving in the pinion races can be done without the driver set but being it’s a free loaner tool it’s the proper way)


6 in. Dial Caliper

Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set 10 Pc.

Clamping Dial Indicator


I know what I’d do:lol:
 
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The price you have to pay if you can't do it yourself. You have to pay to play.
 
yeah but you also have to know what you are doing with pinion depth and backlash etc.
You are correct, and getting those two items right can involve some trial and error. But it ain’t brain surgery either.
Lots of videos on you tube, this forum has lots of knowledgeable and help full folks. I bet everyone here at FABO that knows exactly how to set up an 8.75 started on that knowledge path by actually building one and not by paying someone else to build it.
 
Qualify "disassembled" for us.

If the carrier is together, gears/suregrip unit require no work and all you are doing is pressing bearings on the axles I can see blowing half a day *if* everything is clean and ready to assemble.

If you have to set up the gears or check/repair the SG unit the hours increase. Does this include brakes? What condition are the parts?

Also it depends on what kind of shop you like to utilize for this kind of work. Usually the slam it together shops are far less expensive than the conscientious guy that will take time to check everything closely and assemble with care (i.e. no oozing silicone, hammer marks etc.).

Personally I prefer the shop that will respect my investment as such and charge accordingly.

Lastly, if you took your hamburger to McDonalds they would not ever recognize what beef looks like lol!
 
There's very few auto techs that are millionaires so no one was gouging you. If price is an issue always ask for a estimate. It prevents the ''5:00 surprise'' when you stop to pick it up.
 
Unanswered questions. The OP needs to fill us in.
 
yeah but you also have to know what you are doing with pinion depth and backlash etc.
Reading the Factory SM is all that’s needed to learn what’s involved. That aspect of differential setup is a cinch if you have a dial indicator w/base, and you don’t just do it once, you recheck multiple times for repeatability before calling it good.:thumbsup:
 
That's about what my local shop charges it's outrageous so that's why you learn to do thing's yourself or find a buddy who knows.
 
Hell, just having the tool to hold the yoke and a gun to crush the pinion sleeve is almost worth that. Then, how many times did you have to take it apart to get the pinion depth correct.
 
I brought an unassembled 8 3/4 rear end with new parts and a shop wants 476 for 4 hours of work to assemble it. This seems rather high I was expecting 200-300 range any advice on this
Where in Florida?
 
How nice do you want it? What actually needs to be assembled? I wouldn't touch it for that unless the housing is ready to go and the pumpkin is assembled/set up ready to run. 4 hours sounds like that's where you are at and all they need to do is press bearings on axles and assemble. If they need to remove old bearings, not even sure 4 hours is gonna cover you and you'll get the 5pm surprise Mike talked about..
 
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