8.75 Diff Questions 2nd try
You should always perform a complete diagnosis before disassembling anything so you know what you're looking for. Using the process of elimination to narrow the problem down saves time and money.
In my world you just don't tear down a transmission and completely rebuild it for a valve body or a pump problem Chrysler will charge you back that repair in a heartbeat.
Besides what if he just needs an axle bearing? Waste of money to be going through the diff when all you need is an axle bearing. Or worse yet rebuilding the diff and still having the noise because all you needed was an axle bearing.
How many brand new Green bearings have you seen? I've never seen any. But, I've only been doing this since 1986. Seems to me if they slid in and the flange could be tightened, the pin was a non-issue. Whether because of axle length or a previous owner pulling it or it being a non pin sure grip.
We're not talking transmissions, however I do own the snap on transmission pressure gage kit and I'm not afraid to use it. CUrrently I'm doing an AMC 998 for my friend's Gremlin. I need no schooling on it, thanks.
In my world, and for the record, I was an ASE Master Tech and can and do diagnose better than most. Add to that 4 years of jobber parts, plus dealership parts guy (well, asst manager to be specific) spanning the late 80s to mid 90s. At the time in the delaership, when a transmission was determined faulty and it wasn't something dropping the pan could fix, they didn't want you to fix it. They wanted a replacement installed and the bad unit sent back. It was more cost efficient for them in terms of warranty labor and parts that way, and less chance of the dealer trying to scam Chrysler for warranty time. They kicked more back for trying to repair them than anything else... Remember the early 4sp computer controlled transaxles and the Ram trucks? They were terrible and we stocked most of the common ones just because of that. Later in life I also worked at a 4wd performance shop doing 2-3 axle builds a week. I'm not new to it nor do i consider myself one to spend needlessly. Time has value for anybody, pro or not.
The truth is, with a drop-out center section type rear. The swerving tests can identify the axle bearings, but if it's anything else, it's coming out. To properly inspect the gears and bearings you have to. From his description, which granted could be several things, primarily sounds like pinion bearings. If it needs pinion bearings, it needs to come out.