99 GC Laredo 2WD, grinding sound in back?

[mossimo]

Hello,

I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with 48,000 miles on it.
Just carried it to dealership for new battery, new brakes, new
rotors, tire balancing.

They tell me that my rear differential is making noise and
will cost $1000 to fix.

I have noticed a slight grinding noise in the rear, but it's not
too bad.

1. Do I really need to get this fixed?
2. Shouldn't this be covered under the powertrain warranty?
3. $1000 is pretty steep, any way I could fix this myself or
go to a shadetree mechanic?
4. I have heard from the dealership and other that this rear
axle problems happens quite often in this model, why isn't this
a recall issue?
5. Is there any way I can get Jeep to pay for this repair?

I guess I question the dealership making this judgement,
considering they actually told me both my front and rear
differentials were making noise, and I have a 2WD. Are
they just trying to get me to make a needless donation
to them?

Thank you very much for your help! I know nothing about
automobiles!!!

[JDPascal]

I would get a second opinion even if it cost me a few bucks.

It could well be that there is noise but there are a lot of moving parts in there and not all necessarily need replacing.

If you haven't changed the diff oil recently, you might consider having that done at the same time you get the second opinion. At least you would get some more value for your money.

Not sure what the powertrain warrenty includes or if you are within the time but I would think the diff is powertrain.

Fixing the diff requires a hydraulic press and/or bearing pullers as well as micrometers and other tools. How confident a gear head are you???

Check out the "lemonaid" web site.

www.lemonaidcars.com

it has some good suggestions for getting results from your complaints.

JD