Couple of questions? Is this an easy job, is it recommended if diff is already apart? I see lots of reference to Yukon Dura-Grip differential on these rebuild kits, not sure what that is. Don't seem to be finding anything for stock GM?

Is it better to just buy a new, "loaded" carrier with clutches installed?

 

Stock GM = Auburn

Trash

Not rebuildable, no replacement parts available

Replace it

 

is there a way to know if the factory one is still good/ not good?

 

Is it factory? it's an Auburn, isn't "good", never was "good" in the first place.

You can tell if it's worn out by locking one axle and trying to turn the other. Should take around 60 ft-lbs give or take. Can't recall the exact "spec" but it's not one of those things where it has to be THAT EXACT NUMBER, like if it's 61 it's great but if it's 59 the matter will collide with the anti-matter and annihilate the entire known universe into a black hole centered on your driveway. Rather, you'll likely find that it's something somewhere in the ballpark, in which case it's still more or less working, or it's ZERO... not hard to figure it out from there.

 

buy a Torsen unit easy swap and they work good

 

Please see attachment.