4Runner Differential blown out - please advise

Hi All,

My wife's was driving her 4Runner (2002 SR5) . As she tried to
disengage 4WD (at about 25mph) the smoke started pouring from
underneath the hood and the truck sounded like it was revving too high,
although tachometer read normal, somewhere at 2000 rpms.

She got out of the car and saw fire underneath, which went out shortly.

We towed it to a mechanic nearby that was recommended to us by a family
member. He wants $4500 for:

1) Replacing the front differential ($1400 new, maybe cheaper if can
find used)
2) Some wiring harnesses melted by the fire ($1000)
3.) Some motor that engages and disengages the 4WD ($300)
4.) Misc parts such as sparkplug wires and some hoses that were melted
by the fire ($300)
5.) Labor 20hrs x$75/hr ($1500)

Does this sound normal or am I being ripped off?

[email protected] wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> My wife's was driving her 4Runner (2002 SR5) . As she tried to
> disengage 4WD (at about 25mph) the smoke started pouring from
> underneath the hood and the truck sounded like it was revving too high,
> although tachometer read normal, somewhere at 2000 rpms.
>
> She got out of the car and saw fire underneath, which went out shortly.
>
> We towed it to a mechanic nearby that was recommended to us by a family
> member. He wants $4500 for:
>
> 1) Replacing the front differential ($1400 new, maybe cheaper if can
> find used)
> 2) Some wiring harnesses melted by the fire ($1000)
> 3.) Some motor that engages and disengages the 4WD ($300)
> 4.) Misc parts such as sparkplug wires and some hoses that were melted
> by the fire ($300)
> 5.) Labor 20hrs x$75/hr ($1500)
>
> Does this sound normal or am I being ripped off?
>


What is rwrong with the front diff? Is it actually broken or just a
leaky seal?

--

-----------------
www.thesnoman.com

It's burned and melted. Gear fluid spread everywhere and started a
fire. Burned everything around it.

[email protected] wrote:
> It's burned and melted. Gear fluid spread everywhere and started a
> fire. Burned everything around it.
>


Since it is a fire, insurance should pay for it unless you do not have
any. I know my insurance would pay for fire damage

--

-----------------
www.thesnoman.com

On 14 Dec 2005 16:57:29 -0800, [email protected] wrote:

>Hi All,
>
>My wife's was driving her 4Runner (2002 SR5) . As she tried to
>disengage 4WD (at about 25mph) the smoke started pouring from
>underneath the hood and the truck sounded like it was revving too high,
>although tachometer read normal, somewhere at 2000 rpms.
>
>She got out of the car and saw fire underneath, which went out shortly.
>
>We towed it to a mechanic nearby that was recommended to us by a family
>member. He wants $4500 for:
>
>1) Replacing the front differential ($1400 new, maybe cheaper if can
>find used)
>2) Some wiring harnesses melted by the fire ($1000)
>3.) Some motor that engages and disengages the 4WD ($300)
>4.) Misc parts such as sparkplug wires and some hoses that were melted
>by the fire ($300)
>5.) Labor 20hrs x$75/hr ($1500)
>
>Does this sound normal or am I being ripped off?

Before you go any further, talk to your insurance agent. Much of the
fire damage may well be covered by insurance (they won't cover the
diff, however).

Regardless your description of what happened leaves me with more
questions than answers--I do not see a blown diff starting a fire when
4WD was disengauged. Maybe the motor that unlocks the wheel(s) could
but the DIFF?