I recently started hearing a humming/whining noise coming from the rear of my 2003 Montero Limited 4x4 with 15X,XXX miles. After taking it to a mechanic friend of mine, we discovered it was the left real axle that was protruding 1/2" from the center differential. He recommended I take the vehicle to a Midas/Meineke/Firestone to get an estimate for the repairs. After taking it to one of these establishments, they are informing me the left real axle and differential needs replacing.

They have not dis-assembled anything and are telling me it will be $3,000 to repair it and most of the $$$ is for parts. The manager of the store also tried to inform me they found metal shavings in the differential drain plug.

After researching online, this appears to be a somewhat common problem for montero/pajero from that era. Should I get an estimate from a Mitsubishi dealer. Is the repair really that expensive?

 

If you're interested I have set of used ones I'm willing to sell for a fair price.
It's off a 2003 limited with only 140 thousand km not miles