I've got some whining coming from the rear end of my Exploder (8.8", 3.73 with Limited Slip) on power/acceleration. I'm thinking pinion bearing, but I'm not ruling out anything else.

Is there a reputable and reasonable shop in the East Bay that anyone can recommend? This is my daily driver, and I don't want to wrench it myself.

(maybe I should use this opportunity to throw in some sort of locker, and tell my wife that it was part of the repairs!)

Thanks in advance.

Good luck!

I needed a new pinion seal in the 14bolt recently. Nobody seemed to want the job. One shop said they could do it but asked what kind of vehicle - I told him a K5 - he said 14 bolts do not come in k5s.....:rolleyes: But he said he would work on it if I brought it removed from the Blazer..... :flipoff2:

Since yours is stock it should be easier but it still might be less expensive taking it to some of the remote shops mentioned on this board.

Well, if it gets nasty, I'll just fork out for a new set of 4.10's front and rear, and do the seals and bearings as part of the package.

Bill, look up River City Differentials (Gearman) next time you come up here. He's in Rancho.

Originally posted by Bill Plein
Well, if it gets nasty, I'll just fork out for a new set of 4.10's front and rear, and do the seals and bearings as part of the package.

As Lance said Gearman is you best bet.

4:10's and a locker! I think we rubbed off some of our sickness on you!;)

down here in Santa Clara, Santa Clara Truck Wreckers is a good place. Fair prices and good, fast service. Bill is the boss over there...

Rear End Specialties in Santa Clars

Originally posted by Lance
Bill, look up River City Differentials (Gearman) next time you come up here. He's in Rancho.

Lance-

I'd like to, but I'm a 2 car house ( I have no spares), so I can't leave my car up there for long.

Best bet is something local to me.

Thanks all, for the pointers.

Try Differential Doctors in San Leandro (I-880 and Marina Dr).

Thanks, that's getting closer to my work (Fremont, south end of town).

You can also try Petes Gear Shop in Hayward, they do great work at reasonable prices. They are located on Foothill Blvd.

Shucks Transmission
in Dublin,

Long time friends of mine, they have helped me set up a lot of lockers

I just called Pete's in Hayward, the guy quoted me somethin like $1300 to put 4.88's in a 14 Bolt:eek: I didn't even ask about a locker. BTW the guy on the phone had a British accent.

Also called GEARMAN and he quoted me less than half that, he would also weld my spiders, the other guys never even done it.

I would stay away from Santaclara truck, they do good work but are expensive.

Rear end specialtys does decent work, I have had them do all my gear work.

I personally watched a few places I WOULD NOT go to..

The Toyota Landcruiser yard/shop in San Jose.... Not BTB..

And Although I like SC Truck, I've seen some funny-doings

about gear work there.

--my .02

I'd say go to Gearman, or Wade's shop in Stockton...

--Sherpa

munched front ring and Pinion on Fordyce Saturday, overnighted to gearman on Monday, he had back to my house by Wednesday! Installed and left for Dusy on the following Monday.

now that's service and was probably still cheaper with shipping than going local.

General Truck in San Jose aka all sticks and gears

STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THERE IF YOU WANT GEARS

For parts I go there and get jeep and Toy parts..

But for service stay the hell away, run really fast..

Originally posted by SHERPA RIG
I personally watched a few places I WOULD NOT go to..

The Toyota Landcruiser yard/shop in San Jose.... Not BTB..

And Although I like SC Truck, I've seen some funny-doings

about gear work there.

--my .02

I'd say go to Gearman, or Wade's shop in Stockton...

--Sherpa

You said that right Steve...

I was in there once when the "mechanic" (we'll call him that
for now)

was having a terrible time with the cross-pin on a rearend.

It appears that the "mechanic" had broken the lock-screw
for the crosspin.... so, what does the "mechanic" use to
remedy the problem?? a V E R Y L A R G E BFH, and a
huge steel drift-pin.... The guy literally beat on that cross-pin
for over 1/2 hour..... I was watching in amazement.........

I got a chance the view the work of the "mechanic" up close,
since he had to sit down to rest before he had a heart attack
after whailing on that thing for soooo long.... It was a very
eye-opening experince..........

they were all scratching their heads wondering how to tell
the customer how they had focked-up this guy's rear....

I had to leave, so I didn't get to see the rest....

--Sherpa

Try STOCK TO PERFORMANCE in Concord (925) 689-1846. They just finished putting an ARB in a friends Jeep.

Man, you guys are helpful. PBBS is the place for answers.

O I am in amazment when I go in there all the time.. Jon the owner lets me go in the back and pull my own parts at a discount but Its a wonder that cars actually leave there..