2002 tahoe rear differential cover size

[driven_mad]

I did a few searches with not much luck..

Can anyone tell me what the rear differential cover size is for a 2002 Tahoe LT 4x4 5.3?

thanks in advance

 

[Rocket Man]

What do you mean by size? It’s not like we can say it’s 5”x 7” or 9” diameter, it’s an irregular shape. And don’t forget there’s a panhard bar right behind it so a deep one isn’t possible without mods. You need one designed specifically for your vehicle, not just for a GM 10 bolt rear end.

 

[driven_mad]

I realize that that's why I specifically said which vehicle I have

Perhaps I should have asked what size rear differential does my truck have so that I can order the proper differential cover. I will probably just look up the RPO code tomorrow but I thought someone may have some insight that has got through this already

 

[Woodblocker55]

I do know them rearends look small to be 4:10 on my 2006 Yukon XL . But they must of changed pinion size so ring didn't have to be so big .. you should see how big the rearend is on 1992 P30 Motorhome 4:88 rearend it's massive.

Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk

 

[Rocket Man]

I realize that that's why I specifically said which vehicle I have

Perhaps I should have asked what size rear differential does my truck have so that I can order the proper differential cover. I will probably just look up the RPO code tomorrow but I thought someone may have some insight that has got through this already

You’ll find it listed as a 10-bolt GM rear end but like I said not all 10-bolt covers will fit your truck due to the Panhard bar. You need to find one listed for a 2002 Tahoe with a 10-bolt. Check the number of bolts to verify. It’s not a size thing except for the depth. When you’re counting the bolts look at the clearance between the cover and the pan hard bar and you’ll see what I mean.

 

[swathdiver]

I did a few searches with not much luck..

Can anyone tell me what the rear differential cover size is for a 2002 Tahoe LT 4x4 5.3?

thanks in advance

You have an 8.6 10-Bolt GM corporate rear differential. The cover is the same size used on the earlier 8.5" GM 10-Bolt axles too, like the Buick Grand National.

If you plan to replace any of the bolts, know what they are as the type and length changed over the years.

 

[915_Tahoe]

I realize that that's why I specifically said which vehicle I have

Perhaps I should have asked what size rear differential does my truck have so that I can order the proper differential cover. I will probably just look up the RPO code tomorrow but I thought someone may have some insight that has got through this already

what is the last 8 of your vin# i can check for you

 

[driven_mad]

3J179014

 

[915_Tahoe]

GTA 3.73 RATIO
8.625 RING GEAR
12 BOLT REAR COVER
NON LIMITED SLIP DIFF.

 

[swathdiver]

GTA 3.73 RATIO
8.625 RING GEAR
12 BOLT REAR COVER
NON LIMITED SLIP DIFF.

12 Bolt? I thought they quit using those in '91?

There are two 14 bolt rears, a 9.5" semi-floater and the full floating 11.5" used in the 3/4-ton trucks. The semi-floater is used in the 1/2-tons under certain circumstances.

https://yourcovers.com/differential_covers.html

 

[915_Tahoe]

12 Bolt? I thought they quit using those in '91?

There are two 14 bolt rears, a 9.5" semi-floater and the full floating 11.5" used in the 3/4-ton trucks. The semi-floater is used in the 1/2-tons under certain circumstances.

https://yourcovers.com/differential_covers.html

you are correct, it is a 10 bold design, was looking at the illistration and it counts 14 bolts

 

[Rocket Man]

you are correct, it is a 10 bold design, was looking at the illistration and it counts 14 bolts

Yeah, it’s the standard 10 bolt GM.

 

[driven_mad]

Do the nuts tend to break, anyone have any advice for removal? Mine is 2002 - 17 years old - lots of rust and leaking

 

[Rocket Man]

Do the nuts tend to break, anyone have any advice for removal? Mine is 2002 - 17 years old - lots of rust and leaking

We don’t get rust up here but the only problem I’ve heard of is rounded off bolt heads in the rust belt. Be aware there are either SAE or metric bolts depending on the vehicle and it seems there’s no sure fire way to tell which you have without pulling one and checking. I pulled a top one (so less chance of a leak, there’s no fluid at the top) and took it to Ace to verify, then ordered a new set to have on hand.

 

[Jeff Groves]

In the rust belt rusted bolts on the cover can be a problem. You never have a socket to fit them depending on the rust. Try a Gator Grip socket. They work pretty good and I use them a lot on my job sites.
1 Gator covers a wide range of sizes so I don't need a bunch of sockets in my tool pouch.
Use an Impact driver and if the bolt is stubborn? Give it a tighten/loosen action a few times.
Generally that will get them to come out.
If that fails? Do the melted candle thing. That almost always works.

 

[Baggerjim]

Got a new one from Rock Auto

 

[Baggerjim]

Get the code from your glove box tag or build sheet

 

[driven_mad]

Well the bolts came out even tho they were rusted down to 12 mm but a brake line cracked due to the rust

 

[driven_mad]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

 

[Rocket Man]

Well the bolts came out even tho they were rusted down to 12 mm but a brake line cracked due to the rust

View attachment 225333

Damn rusted brake lines.