Front diff failed again

[Mcneils10]

Hello all,
I replaced the front differential in my 09 denali in probably late September, accidentally ran it low on oil because the passenger side axle seal would leak.
So now Sunday night 12/21 on way home I heard some grinding noises so I filled the diff. The next day probably 20ish miles into my morning drive the stiblitrack and abs lights came on.
My question is would a fail differential cause the abs and stiblitrack lights to come on?

 

[strutaeng]

Have you scanned the truck for the stabilitrak/ABS codes? That may give you some insight on what happened. Or it could simply be a coincidence...

Generally, a failure of sorts may generate a lot of metal particles and since the wheel speed sensors basically generate electromagnetic field, they attract metal particles and can block off signal. On the engine side, some engines have solenoids that act as hydraulic actuators; same on transmissions. However, I think your front wheel speed sensors are not in the direct fluid passages of the front differential, so this is not likely the case. But there's I believe a front differential actuator depending on models, but I'm not sure if that tied into the ABS/Stabilitrak?

Was your second differential low on fluid? Where did the fluid go? Or was it low when it was installed? Do you know?

 

[SpareParts]

That's where i would start.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

To my knowledge, there are no electrical connections on my 07 Denali's front differential. If I am in fact correct, then I don't think that your front differential would trigger any trouble codes on its own, unless one side of it locked up sufficiently to cause a significant difference in the front wheels speeds, thus triggering the wheel speed difference warning.

 

[Mcneils10]

Finally had time to jack up all 4 corners of the truck and when I got to the passenger front, the wheel kinda fell outwards. And now I assume im in for a hub replacement. I already ordered acdelco gold replacement. Hopefully it's here on Saturday. Would explain abs and stiblitrack lights.

 

[West 1]

With the tire flopping and the abs light on the front hub bearing has failed. If the ABS was not on I would look at the top ball joint also. I think you found your problem.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Finally had time to jack up all 4 corners of the truck and when I got to the passenger front, the wheel kinda fell outwards. And now I assume im in for a hub replacement. I already ordered acdelco gold replacement. Hopefully it's here on Saturday. Would explain abs and stiblitrack lights.

When one hub fails, you should also look at, and probably replace the other hub, as well. As recommended above, it would be good to give a thorough inspection of ALL the front suspension components.

 

[Mcneils10]

Okay hub replaced and ball joints.
Do I have to drive it for the abs and stiblitrack lights to turn off?

 

[swathdiver]

Okay hub replaced and ball joints.
Do I have to drive it for the abs and stiblitrack lights to turn off?

Yep.