My local mechanic found that the diffy fluid was about 1 qt. low when he checked out the noise problem. There is no doubt in my mind they didn't put enough diffy fluid back in when completing the install.

Wayne, we are just going to have to agree to disagree on this one. The above statement does not mean anything. Let's look at it logically. Why would a shop only partially fill a diff? It is ridiculous to assume they did. Yes, it could happen, but I doubt it.

Putting the blame on the shop is easier than claiming 90wt eating aliens came in the night and sucked the life blood of his front diff. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It is also much easier to swallow than, heaven forbid, taking the responsibility that he had not checked the fluid (or changed it should have been) before 6 months down the road.

You seem to also miss the point about getting your oil changed, and it applies to this too. If he had checked fluid levels after the install (we are going to assume that with an ARB, he wheels it and therefore fluid levels should be checked) and found it low, then he might have recourse against the shop or he could have just filled it up and saved the bearings. I don't care who does the work, when you drop $1000 into an axle, you check the fluid level after and periodically.

Take care,
Michael