Limited slip going out

[Brian Griffith]

anybody have an idea of the ramifications of driving with an worn out posi unit. i have a 2001 yukon xl i ordered brand new , it has just shy of 119000 miles on it and the posi is now a 1 legger. its been making a weird noise at low speed at random times when pulling out of the driveway for awhile now .i just put in a new trans 1 year ago dont really want to drop another $12-1400 bucks into it, any input would be appreciated.

 

[Wylie_Tahoe]

My first thought would be a fluid change. There was a time when some GM diffs required a 4 oz bottle of additive with the fresh fluid.

 

[Brian Griffith]

Thanks wylie, but this model year took the synthetic gear oil with no additives to be used.

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[Wylie_Tahoe]

May consider swapping the carrier for something like a Detroit truetrac. prolly a better working unit anyway.

 

[Brian Griffith]

Yeah I thought of that I just really don't want to keep pouring money into this thing even though the truck is in really nice shape after replacing the ABS unit, the gas tank ,and the tranny its already added up to more than the trucks actually worth. Dumping another grand or better into it just doesn't make any sense

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[swathdiver]

anybody have an idea of the ramifications of driving with an worn out posi unit. i have a 2001 yukon xl i ordered brand new , it has just shy of 119000 miles on it and the posi is now a 1 legger. its been making a weird noise at low speed at random times when pulling out of the driveway for awhile now .i just put in a new trans 1 year ago dont really want to drop another $12-1400 bucks into it, any input would be appreciated.

Why not get a junkyard rear and do a swap for about $500 or so? If you don't spend something on it, it's going to wind up not running sooner or later.

 

[OR VietVet]

First: Welcome to the forum from Oregon

Second: What do you think a 2001 Yukon XL is worth with only 119k miles on it? That is some low miles.

Third: Have you ever done a fluid change on that diff? If so, when? If not, why not? If not, would be your fault for none maintenance. Again, unknown answers.

Fourth: Like James said, get a salvage yard unit and swap it out. Then you will not be paying your $1200 to $1400. Hopefully you have the tools and know how to do it. It is a very basic task.

 

[Brian Griffith]

Viet vet thanks for the welcome going rate for a truck in my condition around my area is probably five grand if I'm lucky maybe 6.

Yes I have serviced the rear end a couple of times.

Yes I thought about the wrecking yard angle but depending on the age of the rear end that I find I could be in the same boat.the limited slip GM used back then was a piece of crap have a cousin and a good friend that we're both Chevrolet service technicians both told me the same thing they replaced those things constantly. And yes I could do the junkyard swap myself I do have all the tools and knowledge it's just at a certain point Is it wise 2 keep throwing money into a car that's almost 20 years old.



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[swathdiver]

... it's just at a certain point Is it wise 2 keep throwing money into a car that's almost 20 years old.

If you want to keep driving it, then YES! Take care of what the Lord gave ya.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you want to keep driving it, then YES! Take care of what the Lord gave ya.

Agreed. If it is paid off, meets your needs, is not all beat up, you like it when it is working right, then keep it. If you are just in the mood for something new, likely paying higher insurance, making payments if you can't buy outright and if used getting something you have to start all over with when it comes to the unknown history, then get a new(er) one.

 

[Wylie_Tahoe]

it's just at a certain point Is it wise 2 keep throwing money into a car that's almost 20 years old.

FWIW, I had a 2002 trailblazer original owner, had about 285,000 mls. Exterior was straight and good paint and interior looked 15 years newer then the interior of my new to me Tahoe. I would be still driving it and fixing it, but it died a sudden death after an encounter with a concrete hwy divider last year. I am able to diagnose/repair 95% of what needed to be. So fixing was only parts and my time. So my threshold of how much it was eating p/yr v's market, is likely lower then some. To me, those low miles and condition would be worth it as long as I still had a need/use for that type of vehicle.

If it were mine, id have an aftermarket diff on its way. Swap the ring over, new bearing for the pinion and done. A few hours time.

 

[tom3]

First question I have is, do you need the positraction to work? If not a big deal, I'd check the pinion and U-joints for looseness, if tight, I'd drive it.

 

[Bill Barnes]

Yeah I thought of that I just really don't want to keep pouring money into this thing even though the truck is in really nice shape after replacing the ABS unit, the gas tank ,and the tranny its already added up to more than the trucks actually worth. Dumping another grand or better into it just doesn't make any sense

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Is it costing more than a reasonable replacement would? I would and have fixed my 2005 Yukon XL Southern Comfort conversion. New trans, new TC operator, new MAF, new accelerator control module, all in the last 2 years. A new replacement vehicle would be 72 to 75K. I'll keep repairing mine.

 

[rockola1971]

It all boils down to which is cheaper? Fix the rearend/replace or a car payment or cash for another vehicle? Its really a easy decision. Whats that saying about doing something or get off the pot?

 

[asand]

With our gov-loc diffs the worst case scenario is the governor coming apart, jamming the ring and pinion and splitting the carrier. If it's malfunctioning at all get that shit out of there and put an open diff or a Yukon Duragrip in there. New diff carrier bearings and swap your ring gear over. I did it in my driveway in 5 hours with hand tools and a $20 dial indicator.

 

[JonnyTahoe]

So you wore out the Diff and Trans in less than 120k. Your XL came with two rear Diff options which one is in yours ? I have a Tahoe with a 10 bolt and a 4L60 with 295k. You must be towing very heavy loads to cause this much damage.