I brought my 2003 hemi dodge 1500 4x4 truck into my buddies shop today to get the front transfer looked at as it was making a clunking noise. He found one pinion gear and axle was worn badly and suggested to replace it asap. The problem is the dealer says they can only get the complete carrier and no separate parts are available. He tired a few other places and no one has any parts like that either. They all told him its a dealer item. I don't want to have to do the whole carrier if it just needs a pinion gear of course.

Also he says its a corporate case and they tell him it's an 8.25 ring gear but he measures it out to be only 8 inch. So anyone have some thoughts on this?
Thanks
Stu