Help!- Front diff noise!

[SubaGlue]

I drove about 900mi total this weekend to go home for thanksgiving. I spent about $950 for the timing belt water pump pulleys etc... On the way the front differential starts making a tapping/ knocking/ grinding type noise. I am completely out of money after all that work. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Or if it needs a new diff (I assume it does) and how much they generally cost?

Thx

[Huffer]

It may well be a wheel-bearing. How are you sure it's your front diff?

[97legacygt]

If it does the tapping/ knocking/ grinding noise when you are turning, it would be the cv joint boot got torn and no longer has grease in it.

[SubaGlue]

Yes I am not sure it is the front diff. I just got the car from my sister and just found out the cv boot has been torn for a loooong time. Do you know how bad it is to drive with it with no grease? will I need a new cv axle?

[decke48]

you can drive on it for a little time. but if the cv starts to rust or seize, it can cause driveablity issues. so yes replace the complete axle assembly as soon as possible

[SubaGlue]

ok im getting it looked at on thursday and dont need to drive it til then.

thanks!

[d1giPhux]

I had both my axles done at the dealership.. and they were about $120 installed a piece i think (2 for the front).. something like that?

[Huffer]

Dealer prices around here for an axle around about $200 for both sides. Parts cost about $80 for one, so it's not a lot of labor.

[SubaGlue]

Ok that is definitely not as expensive as I thought it would be. As far as I know I only need the right side. The only app I could get is for next thurs. I need to drive like 100 total mi this fri and sat to get to work, hopefully it wont get too bad.

Thanks to all