Noise from Front Diff

[ilmk123]

I have a 03 Denali that is making a noise from the driver side front diff. When coming to a stop under load it growls. When out of gear the noise is gone. ( not brakes and I have replaced both front hub assys because one was bad). I am sure it is a bearing.
I am wanting to know if anybody has had this problem or had the front diff apart and what it took to fix it ? I would like to know where I could get a diagram of the diff. Everytime I have tried to use Haynes book before and they never have what I am looking for....Thank You!....Scott

 

[rich5368]

I have the same issue in my 03 nali. I've been browsing the net and the 2 most common answers I have found is carrier bearings and rebuild fron diff. I'm going to drop the fluid out of my diff this week and take a look at how much junk is in there.

 

[heftylefty58]

Coincidentally, I also have an 03 YD, and I ended up getting the front fully rebuilt 3 months ago (@ ~63k mi).

I'm in San Jose, CA, and here's what I ended up paying for:
1 used 8.25 - 3.73: $120
1 bearing kit: $100
2 axle seals: $40
2 retaining clips: $6
2qts oil/gasket: $20
labor: $450
total after tax: $762.45

(FYI, some experts on another forum said that I probably really didn't need the $120 used gears...)

 

[rich5368]

I'm worried I'll probably have to rebuild mine. It's almost like a scraping below 40mph under part throttle then when I let off it goes away and goes away completely on the highway. Even with this issue I still have no regrets buying this truck.

 

[ilmk123]

I am going to fix my problem my self. I am just trying to get all the info I can before I start. I will pass it all along.
I am still looking for a diagram of the front Diff.....Scott

 

[rich5368]

Good luck!! I've read on a couple other forums that this is a pita job to do and getting it even a little wrong can be just as bad as not doing it at all. Let me know how it comes out for ya bud. I want to try it myself but I've never done one so I'm scared that it'll cost me more in the long run

 

[rich5368]

The only thing that confuses me with mine is you'd think that with bearing noise it would vary with speed and such. Mine isn't variable at all, it's just there on the gas and gone off the gas.

 

[ilmk123]

Rich mine is the same way. I had it up on a hoist and the noise is coming from the drivers side front diff . It is a bearing. I am planning on taking out the diff and putting it on the work bench and tearing into it. Has anyone here done this before? It does not look to be that hard.......Scott

 

[Max]

Mine have been whining a bit at certain speeds since I bought the truck. I swapped fluids to royal purple synthetic and the noise diminished, however some whine still remains. To address this issue I do cookies whenever the weather permits and nothing has let go in the past 30k

 

[rich5368]

Rich mine is the same way. I had it up on a hoist and the noise is coming from the drivers side front diff . It is a bearing. I am planning on taking out the diff and putting it on the work bench and tearing into it. Has anyone here done this before? It does not look to be that hard.......Scott

I've heard that the bearing change isn't very hard but putting everything back together can be a bit of a pain.

 

[ilmk123]

LOL That is always the hardest part! :0)

 

[amaz]

My front diff started to make big growling noise, I drained front diff oil and there was a handful of metal (from bearings I assume). Front diff is removed from vehicle and as soon as I get my transmission back together (still waiting for right parts), I'll dismantle front diff and have a look inside (Already bought new seals and bearings, hopefully nothing else than new bearings)

 

[ilmk123]

Amaz how much was the cost of new bearings and seals? I have not even checked yet...........Scott

 

[rich5368]

I've seen a couple places where you can get the bearing and seal kit for like 100 bucks

 

[Max]

www.ringpinion.com has master install kits for the 8.25" ifs for pretty cheap.

 

[amaz]

AC Delco seals and bearings were about $220.

 

[Max]

http://www.ringpinion.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=6883
All timken stuff, best you can get. Scoop the seals from a dealer or www.gmpartsdirect.com

 

[rich5368]

So dropped the front diff out this weekend. The driver side case bearing was pitted thrashed and just flat out bad. Changed both case bearings, threw some Royal Purple in there and grinding go bye bye. Job was pretty damn easy too. Took around 3 hours start to finish and that was with a couple stops to have a smoke and swig my beer.

 

[denalianyone]

Have any pics or instructions. I want to eventually do this, the whirlwind sound is a bit annoying. What bearing and seal replacements did you go with?

 

[rich5368]

I didn't take any pics when I did it but I just went to napa after I found that all i needed were the case bearings and picked them up. Like $70. Old ones come off the diff, press new ones on evenly, push seats into case and seal her up and bolt her back together. Getting the diff out is as easy as 1. driveshaft unbolted 2. breather line removed 3. CV axles unbolted 4. Steering rod unbolted from arm and pushed forward 5. Four diff nuts removed and out she comes. When you unbolt the housing you'll have to pry it some as it's sealed pretty good . Good luck to ya, sorry I didn't think to take pics.