Rebuild diff, or purchase used one?
 

Hey guys, car started making a clunk on hard right turns, took it to many mechanics, and the one with the most confidence said I likely need my diff rebuilt, as the driver's side output shaft has play, and it would cost roughly $1200.

I'm anything but wealthy, and purchasing a used one for half the price seems tempting. Or, if possible, rebuilding myself. What do you gentlemen think?

I'm fairly mechanically savvy, but I, of course, am worried I will not know exactly what parts to replace. Is their an orthodox, systematic replacement formula to it? Meaning, when I "rebuild" is it just a "replace this bearing, that bearing, this pinion, and you're done."? (Of course assuming the gears are in good shape. When I drained the fluid recently there were no traces of metal shavings.)

Is getting a used diff with 100k miles a sketchy plan? Do they usually go out? (Mine's at 109k but I have a small feeling the previous owner didn't respect the car. Burnouts, launches, etc.)

Thank you for your time!

Differential building is a very technical job.

Send a PM to s2kpuddydad, he is an S2000 dif building specialist and will steer you right.

Sounds like you just have a sticky lsd unit.

Get a used one and you may end up with a diff that was treated like yours... Spend the money now and have it done right (rebuilt, strengthened), and if you respect it you won't have to worry about it for a long time.

I haven't used puddy dad (plan to), know people that have though with nothing but praise :thumbup:

s2kpuddy dad will be your best option. Unlike a lot of other vendors and such on here that are crapping on their own reputations with shoddy work, s2kpuddydad out of his countless diff rebuilds/modifications of members on this forum and elsewhere, I have not seen a single negative thing said from any of them.

One of the very few things left you can do with someone who can do it so well, for your s2000, and not have to worry about it.

I'm the fourth owner, pretty sure it was abused because the diff mount was destroyed when I got it. Replaced the diff mount with a used one, lasted two years, then got a new one. Point is, it could be a ticking time bomb it could last another 50k trouble free miles. Mine clunks when I reverse and hit the brakes.

+1 for puddymod, Ben is the the guru of differentials