How Much Does It Cost To Service Awd

Concluding Updated on Apr 21, 2020

A vehicle'south differential (or diff), whether front (FWD), rear (RWD), or both (AWD), helps deliver power to the axle(s) and regulates how fast each wheel rotates. Like whatever other component of a drivetrain, differential problems may arise over time.

Because the problems tin can be annihilation from replacing a seal to a complete rebuild or replacement, differential repair costs can vary greatly. Read on to discover some average prices for front and rear differential repair, rebuild, and replacement costs.

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What is a Differential?

types of vehicle differentials

A differential is a mechanical device that allows a variance in cycle speed betwixt wheels on a single axle. When you lot become around a plow, i bike travels a shorter path than the other. If it weren't for the differential, the tires on the driven wheels would want to scrub or skip every bit each tire tries to "run into in the middle" to match the rotation speed of the other.

Differentials are establish in all cars. Depending on engine placement and how many wheels are driven, the differential can be found on the forepart beam, the rear axle, or both. Sometimes all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles have a center differential which allows the tires on the front and rear axles to spin independently of each other.

On a transverse mounted engine, front end differentials are typically integrated into the transaxle. A transaxle is a compact unit of measurement consisting of the transmission, differential, and axles. If you accept a transaxle and a rear differential, the rear differential likely uses a different type of gear oil.

Some vehicles (notably Subarus) will integrate the transmission, front, and middle differentials all into a single unit.

Unremarkably, when a vehicle has a front differential with a built-in transaxle, it volition require a fully synthetic oil (SAE 75 to 85, for example). Transmissions typically require a slightly thinner oil than rear differentials, which demand a thicker oil that's around SAE 90. This will of class will vary depending on each vehicle manufacturer's specific implementation.

Average Differential Repair Cost

The repair costs of the forepart and rear differentials volition fluctuate based upon the repairs that are needed. Sometimes you may only have to conform the backlash or replace the oil seal of the differential. These are light repair jobs that will toll betwixt $200 to $400, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

But if y'all have more extensive damage to your differential that requires information technology to exist dismantled or overhauled, then you are looking at almost $400 to $800in repair costs. However, these costs are only associated with vehicles that are forepart engine with rear wheel drive (FR) blazon.

If you drive a vehicle that is forepart engine with front end bike drive (FF) type, so the repair costs of the diff volition likely exist more expensive considering the transaxle has to be pulled down and dismantled get-go.

This takes more time for the mechanics to do which ways the hourly labor costs (typically around $85/hour) are going to add upward fast. On average, replacing a front end differential is about a iii hour job plus the toll of parts of grade. More advanced types of differentials will also bear upon price.

Differential Maintenance Tips

check rear differential fluid

The trick to keeping your differential working smoothly is lubrication. You need to modify differential fluid regularly and so cheque your car manual to see what the recommended differential fluid modify interval is.

The differential gear needs to be lubricated consistently or else the car volition not drive or turn properly. Two of the most common causes of differential damage is due to lack of fluid or fluid that hasn't been changed in a long time and is past its lifespan.

Therefore, you need to ensure that your differential fluid/oil is in adept condition and is filled to capacity according to what the manufacturer recommends to keep the differential in good working order.

With all the friction that occurs in the differential gears, it is very like shooting fish in a barrel for the gears to overheat. Good quality differential fluid volition foreclose the gears from burning and getting worn out.

You'll know when y'all need to replace the differential fluid because you lot will get-go to hear a humming racket coming from the differential side. You may fifty-fifty feel vibrations, fluid leaks, and even some strange noises as the symptoms become worse.

How to Cheque Differential Fluid Status

Information technology'due south uncomplicated and should only take about 10 minutes. Just open up the filler plug, then put your finger on the hole filler and so you can come across the fluid level and its condition.

And to make it even clearer, briefly open the drain plug and so a bit of fluid comes out into a small tray. If fluid doesn't come out, the level is too low and more fluid should be added.