I think it's the diff, has a moderate whine under load and at steady speed, not when coasting.

Read a lot about this on many forums, but no conclusions. hanger bearing and rubber replaced, u joints are good.

Would appreciate any comments on this and any recommendations for a shop in Calgary that's known to do good work on these diffs.

Thanks in advance,

Fluids changed? Have you checked the backlash of the pinion and ring gear? IIRC it's only a few thou (like between 5-7 or something). My old one had a tremendous amount of play and would HOWL - thus motivating me to swap it out before it decided to die. Most transmission shops can do the work (it's just new carrier and pinion bearings or a new ring and pinion depending on the wear). I can't suggest anyone in YYC.

yes, changed fluid 4 times in last 2 years. First time old fluid came out like chocolate milk, last 2 fills have been Lucas synthetic which has reduced the whine noticably , but not eliminated it.

Next step will remove cover and have a look.

Thanks.

Anyone else have knowledge of a good diff shop in Calgary?

Sorry, no. I guess it's not that common to have to rebuild one, and most of us either find another one to use or rebuild it themselves. It's just a Dana-Spicer rear end, parts are readily available and any transmission shop should be able to handle it with their eyes closed.

thanks.

Take a Spring drive through the mountains and have IWE do it.

I was working in the performance industry so *thought* I had a lot of contacts and I had my 544 diff redone 4 times- cost very close to 10K all totalled I figured- before it was driveable. Cost included rare 3.31 type 27 NOS gear set ruined by faulty set up, at least one set of brake drums ruined by using a rim type puller. Incompetence is the only thing you'll find reliably.

So when I needed a Suzuki diff built, it went to Kelowna to a guy who runs a shop specifically for Samurais and Sidekicks. I let him do the Toyota as well as they are so similar and I liked his style, [plus he took a NOS Suzuki clutch type LSD I bought that was for the wrong year diff in trade against labour].
The T5 went to G-Force- after a local "expert" gave it back with no reverse and several other messed up details.