Can I use used gears?

Can I replace my 3.23's with a set of used 3.42"s? My rearend is starting to make a howling noise at low speeds and in sharp turns. I checked the fluid and it's full. A couple of people have told me that it sounds like the carrier bearing is going bad. So I bought a gear install kit that comes with all the new bearings and a set of 3.42's off a friend that only put 40k on them before he went to a set of 4.11's. Will these work?

My last 2 gearsets were used GM 3.42's, and I got an extra set in the garage. They work fine. Gotta love the T56 guys throwaways. :D

Did they whine at all? What's a good price for an install?

Out here install prices range from $175 to $350 that's just labor...Since you have the install kit and the gears you are ready to go...

--Alan

Anyone know someone in Houston that's less than $300?

My last 2 gearsets were used GM 3.42's, and I got an extra set in the garage. They work fine. Gotta love the T56 guys throwaways. :D

I'd trust factory take-offs over used aftermarket.

It all depends on how they were set up. It doesn't take long for a set that wasn't set up correctly to wear in a bad way.

The used ones that I got are factory GM 3.42's.

You may need to get a new differential, especially if it makes noises when turning. Mine went bad and it allowed for too much axle play, when I would turn left the right axle would hit the brake caliper. I would get a metal on metal noise. It is equivlant to running your finger nails down the chalk board. way before i thought it was bad a mechanic told me that my carrier bearings were bad, so you need to watch out. How many miles are on it?

Almost 117k. It only does it when making a sharp turn left or right, or if I'm turning in a tight circle.

Did they whine at all? What's a good price for an install?
No whine at all. Install was 200.