Ride quality, what does a bad front diff feel like?

[Derick]

So in various other threads, I've mentioned both of the following;

-My ride comfort is non existant. It's like riding in a lumber truck, and I have all new joints, and suspension parts. I get that it's a 2500, and its still and rigged for towing. But i get weird vibrations all the time at the wheel, and it constantly feels like I'm always driving on a washboard (albeit mild) road.

-My front diff is on its way out. I've changed the fluid twice in a little over a year, and its just jam packed with metal. So much that it doesnt even feel like oil anymore. Various discussions have led me to RockAuto to get a new diff for about 700 bucks. Ok, thats on my radar now.

So I guess my question here is, can my ride comfort be affected by the diff that's probably near failure? There are some times that its smooth as silk driving down the road (athough bouncy), and others where its like whaaaaaaaaattttttissssssshapppppennnnnninnnnngggggherrrrrreeeee?

 

[GreyStone]

So in various other threads, I've mentioned both of the following;

-My ride comfort is non existant. It's like riding in a lumber truck, and I have all new joints, and suspension parts. I get that it's a 2500, and its still and rigged for towing. But i get weird vibrations all the time at the wheel, and it constantly feels like I'm always driving on a washboard (albeit mild) road.

-My front diff is on its way out. I've changed the fluid twice in a little over a year, and its just jam packed with metal. So much that it doesnt even feel like oil anymore. Various discussions have led me to RockAuto to get a new diff for about 700 bucks. Ok, thats on my radar now.

So I guess my question here is, can my ride comfort be affected by the diff that's probably near failure? There are some times that its smooth as silk driving down the road (athough bouncy), and others where its like whaaaaaaaaattttttissssssshapppppennnnnninnnnngggggherrrrrreeeee?

have you ever replaced your front shocks?

 

[drakon543]

depending on whats specifically causing the failure but yes its definitely possible to get that from a failing diff. could still be something else though. however if you have started a discussion about your ride quality already i would have posted this question in that thread. dont want to seem mean but bouncing between 2 threads to see what might have already been suggested to check then back to here to make a suggestion is pretty bothersome. but thats a yes to your question in this thread. if its that bad i would stop driving it completely tho. driving along and having the diff suddenly lock up at speeds could end up with you and or someone else in the hospital. also if the vibrations are coming from the internals vibrating from something being lose having the diff detonate is also a possibility.

 

[Derick]

have you ever replaced your front shocks?

Yup all new shocks

 

[GreyStone]

Yup all new shocks

what pressure are your front tires at

 

[Danny3737]

Sounds like either bad shocks, tires out of balance or a bent wheel. My 2004 Denali’s ride is smooth as silk with all its original components, but I only have about 115K on the clock. A warped rotor or sticking caliper will give you a sensation through the steering wheel as well.

 

[swathdiver]

So in various other threads, I've mentioned both of the following;

-My ride comfort is non existant. It's like riding in a lumber truck, and I have all new joints, and suspension parts. I get that it's a 2500, and its still and rigged for towing. But i get weird vibrations all the time at the wheel, and it constantly feels like I'm always driving on a washboard (albeit mild) road.

-My front diff is on its way out. I've changed the fluid twice in a little over a year, and its just jam packed with metal. So much that it doesnt even feel like oil anymore. Various discussions have led me to RockAuto to get a new diff for about 700 bucks. Ok, thats on my radar now.

So I guess my question here is, can my ride comfort be affected by the diff that's probably near failure? There are some times that its smooth as silk driving down the road (athough bouncy), and others where its like whaaaaaaaaattttttissssssshapppppennnnnninnnnngggggherrrrrreeeee?

Drive over to Bill's place or meet him at a rest stop the next time he passes by on vacation and have him check it out for you. @intheburbs

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Tires?
Weel bearings?
Yes a trashed diff would not help the situation certainly.

 

[Derick]

Sounds like either bad shocks, tires out of balance or a bent wheel. My 2004 Denali’s ride is smooth as silk with all its original components, but I only have about 115K on the clock. A warped rotor or sticking caliper will give you a sensation through the steering wheel as well.

Shocks are bilstein 4600s....newish (like a year old). Tires are new (few months old), and the truck has been balanced and aligned various times recently. I had my rotors and brakes off a couple of weeks ago to install new front bearings. They looked even and straight. I dont have any pulse in the brake pedal.

 

[Derick]

what pressure are your front tires at

factory spec at 50

 

[Derick]

depending on whats specifically causing the failure but yes its definitely possible to get that from a failing diff. could still be something else though. however if you have started a discussion about your ride quality already i would have posted this question in that thread. dont want to seem mean but bouncing between 2 threads to see what might have already been suggested to check then back to here to make a suggestion is pretty bothersome. but thats a yes to your question in this thread. if its that bad i would stop driving it completely tho. driving along and having the diff suddenly lock up at speeds could end up with you and or someone else in the hospital. also if the vibrations are coming from the internals vibrating from something being lose having the diff detonate is also a possibility.

my ride commentary was just various blerbs in other threads (that werent mine)....this was actually to bring it to one place to discuss.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

factory spec at 50

WHat tires?

 

[GreyStone]

factory spec at 50

What shocks did you put on the truck?

 

[intheburbs]

factory spec at 50

Factory spec on my 2008 is 50 front, 71 rear, and that's how I run them. Definitely rides as well, or even better, than my half-ton. My buddy has a 2015 Silverado 2500HD pickup - very stiff ride compared to mine.

Stock suspension, all-original, Bilstein 4600s installed in 2013.

I'll be in Jonesboro in early October. Feel free to come by to shoot and take her for a ride.

 

[PG01]

If you have that much metal in the front diff fluid every change....I would think you would feel that .... personally I think that’s your rumble strip feeling... but... what do I know

 

[Fless]

If you have that much metal in the front diff fluid every change....I would think you would feel that .... personally I think that’s your rumble strip feeling... but... what do I know

I wouldn't do anything until the diff is replaced. See if that was the cause.

 

[Danny3737]

I would say possibly front drive shaft, but you aren’t AWD. Worn body mounts perhaps. Like others said, I’d address the front diff problem first.

 

[Geotrash]

A driveline shop can attach a microphone and vibration sensor to the differential, and tell you whether not it’s causing a problem. It’s worth the money for the diagnostic.

Another thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet is a failing CV joint. They can manifest as a vibration of the steering wheel similar to a severely out of balance tire.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Richard Blakely]

My ‘12 Tahoe had much the same symptoms. Had very abnormal inside tire wear. Mechanic replaced upper and lower ball joints and motor mounts. Now riding smooth

 

[George B]

WHat tires?

Need an answer to this including size and rating