[sharpshooter109]

ok, so long story short, the shop said my pinion bearing is shot. i'm going to get a second opinion but i'm not hopefull. they said that this means that my gears are probably shot too, so i might as well rebuild the whole differential. that would cost $1200. i thought it might just be cheaper to get a whole new axle from a junkyard. i have the 8.8" and i was wondering if there was any benefit to swapping to the 9.75"? i have been searching but havent found much good info. i know i will have to get a driveshaft too, but does it have to be off the same transmission as mine? also, am i gonna have to use the brakes off the new axle or can i use my current ones? i know that switching to discs is going to be a pain. also, i was hoping to eventually replace the leaf springs with some beefier ones of another f150. would i HAVE to replace the springs or can i hold off on that? thanks in advance!