I recently developed a problem with the rear end in my '00 coupe, bad whine to be exact and talked to the guys at DTE in Ft. Wayne about getting a new one. The problem is that I moved here (Traverse City) from VA where I had a friend with a lift and a bunch more friends with lots of C5 experience. Now that I'm up here I don't know anyone nor do I have lift privileges and there is no way I'm letting a dealer or any of the local shops touch my car.

DTE said they would do the labor for $500 which seems reasonable to me but they are over 5 hours away and then I'd still have to break-in the new diff by keeping it under 50mph and varying speeds (which would be difficult on a 5 hour highway drive back home). I have some friends in GR where I grew up but they are all Harley guys and don't know squat about the C5 or anyone who does.

I guess my question is this: Does anyone know of a reliable place in or near GR I could trust to do the swap or someone who would be willing to help me do it (I have $$ and am fun to be around) or am I better off just driving to Ft. Wayne and hoping the diff doesn't blow on the way there and then staying down there for a day or two while I break in the new diff?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks.