Vocabulary question - differential, carrier, diff. carrier...

[bdubya]

My '05 4.4l AWD has been FWS for a while now (can't spin the rears on ice, when up on jacks the prop shaft spins but the rear axles never do)...local independent was able to communicate with the DEM and got no codes, and diagnosed it as a mechanical failure in the rear differential. Looks to me like if the DEM is OK, I should be able to swap in a junkyard differential with only a normal amount of hassle (vs. spending more than the car is worth to have it done for me). Question is, when I search for used parts, I can find a "rear differential", or a "rear differential carrier", or a "rear carrier"....are these different terms for the same thing?

[SuperHerman]

I encountered the same issue when I replaced mine. I paid $85 for one that fits my 2004 and it included everything differential and Haldex unit.

That said some will include the Haldex and some will not. Best solution, what I did, was call and ask.

From what I found and what the unit is all three are the same, but what you want is to have the Haldex unit, at least as a spare.

I paid $300 in labor, six hours at $50/hr plus provided the Haldex oil w the shop providing the Diff oil.

If your shop pulls the sway bar end links, have them replaced as mine rattled afterwards and had to have them replaced. I have NEVER had sway bar end links survive a removal without clanking afterwards - regardless of car and car brand. As one end is removed, it is really just the added cost of the part.

[bdubya]

Thanks for the tips. Naturally, I replaced the sway bar links just a couple of months ago, so that was a few bucks wasted. Ah well....