Replace rear Axle bearings & axle?

[Abeatty44]

Hey everyone, I need some advice on my 2014 Ram 1500. I recently noticed a whining noise from the rear end, and after taking it to a shop, they diagnosed bad axle bearings. They quoted $900 to replace just the bearings, but they suggested replacing the axles as well. The total cost for bearings + axles is $2,500.
I’m wondering—has anyone dealt with this before?
Is it really necessary to replace the axles, or can I just do the bearings?
Does $2,500 sound fair for axles + bearings, or should I shop around?
Appreciate any advice before I decide! Thanks in advance!

 

[TC]

Salvage yard close to you. I picked up a used complete axle including rotors that met my trucks specs with 50k miles on it. Recent for $750. Only thing needed was rear diff fluid.

 

[Bmags]

same, picked up a low mile rear end for $508. And I was able to upgrade to the anti-spin version.

 

[62Blazer]

I know this post is a few days old. But in regards to replacing the axle shafts, it just depends on what they look like. If the issue was caught soon enough the shafts are probably good. If the bearings are really bad they could have chewed up the surface on the shafts where they ride. You just don't know until you pull the shafts and look at them.
Not sure I understand the extra $1,600 to replace the axle shafts? I could be wrong, but didn't think there is much if any extra labor to install the shafts.....you already have to remove and re-install them when doing the bearings. So that price would be just the parts cost? And new shafts definitely don't cost $1,600. Looking at RockAuto you can get a new pair of shafts for $400. But again, maybe I'm missing something (I have replaced several sets of axle bearings before. Not this exact model of axle, but on similar designs).

 

[PaleFlyer]

I know this post is a few days old. But in regards to replacing the axle shafts, it just depends on what they look like. If the issue was caught soon enough the shafts are probably good. If the bearings are really bad they could have chewed up the surface on the shafts where they ride. You just don't know until you pull the shafts and look at them.
Not sure I understand the extra $1,600 to replace the axle shafts? I could be wrong, but didn't think there is much if any extra labor to install the shafts.....you already have to remove and re-install them when doing the bearings. So that price would be just the parts cost? And new shafts definitely don't cost $1,600. Looking at RockAuto you can get a new pair of shafts for $400. But again, maybe I'm missing something (I have replaced several sets of axle bearings before. Not this exact model of axle, but on similar designs).

Sounds like it's a "We don't really want to do it." quote OP got. Ya know, "Hey Billy, before you send that quote out, add an extra 50%, as none of us want to do an axle job, which probably takes half+ of a day, when we can zip out oil changes and tires, and get 3x more on our checks, and def be home for dinner at normal time." kinda thing.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Only place to get axles worked on are the good Jeep/Off-road shop in your area.

And yes that quote is steep AF...lol...

 

[aszumilo]

I paid $2400 for a complete rebuild. All new bearings, new axles, new carrier. Just for axles and bearing should not cost that much. I'd find a driveline shop in your area.

 

[CamperMike]

Not in my truck but in my Mustang i had all the bearings replaced in the rear end and it cost half what you were quoted. The first shop wanted to swap in a whole used rear end for 2500 but then i found a transmission and driveline shop that was willing to just replace the bearings and saved about half the price. It got new carrier bearings, pinion bearings, and axle bearings.