MARTYW Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Okay, I officially have the front differential whine that I have heard so much about. My truck is an 03 SS with 81K miles on it. I have read a lot and asked a lot of opinions on rebuilding it. I want to open it up here and hopefully get some good advice. Should I rebuild the one that I have? If so, who would you all suggest I get to do the work? Local would be nice, around west TN, but would consider shipping it to someone skilled at rebuilding these. Can one be salvaged from a 4-wheel drive truck and just swap out the ring and pinion? Is there a disadvantage to just rebuiling the one I have. I have heard some people say that if I rebuild the one I have, it will soon start whining again. I am not driving the truck hard or abusing it. Just a weekend cruiser. I have heard people say that the best thing is to get a Jasper unit, but it would run 1800 to 2000 dollars. I am just trying to figure out my best plan of attack? Any of you out there had successful rebuilds and lasted extended amounts of time and miles? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Marty W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desrtrat Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 most times the carrier bearings were the issue. most have just replaced them with good luck. find a good shop that can rebuild front/rear diff.. after my fix i have put 59K and no issues. Jasper may be good but over priced IMO.. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted July 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Thanks. I have found a local guy who is very good that is willing to go through it for me. Thanks for your advice. Wish me luck!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissfans03ss Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 I know another member just install a 4x4 unit in his truck but had to do some minor mods, I would so a search because I was just reading about it last week. Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
90zxdriver Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 I fear I am too starting to hear the whine from the front and have a clicking from the rear. I also need brakes on all 4 corners and will soon need 4 new tires. I'm finding myself walking the trade it or fix it line right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted July 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 That's terrible luck! I am going to fix mine, but I have not had mine for long. Fixing all of those problems would definitely hurt the pocket book! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
90zxdriver Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 I have a warranty so the diff's **should** be covered under that (I hope). Tires and brakes though, I'm obviously on my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat thompson Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 03 silverado ss makes noise in front when turning at about 5 to 20 mph left & right. It sounds like a grinding noise and has been there for a long time and how starting to worry me. Anyone know what this mite be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Probably the front differential. I am having mine rebuilt next week. Usually it is the carrier bearings that go bad. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevelleBoy Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 I've got about 83K on mine and I just started hearing what sounds more like a loud persistent squeak. Have not heard any grinding our growl type sounds like other threads have described, but more of the whine / squeak. Sometimes it does not start until I get above 25 mph. When I jack it up and rotate wheels, there is no looseness or noise or clunking sounds - everything sounds fine. But at speed the right front sounds almost like a brake squeak on steroids. Does this description sound familiar to you guys? Any new advice from those who have dealt with this issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted September 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Well, I have been dalaying my front diff rebuild for a while now. I have my guys lined up to do it when I am ready, but figured I would put it off for as long as I can. A fellow member was messaging me and had a similar problem, but his ended up being a wheel bearing. So, I decided to drain my front diff oil to see what it looked like. It was a silvery mess. It was completely full of silver metallic flakes and the magnetic drain plug was covered in clumps of metal shavings. I screwed my drain plug in about 10 times and got more and more shavings out. I was hoping for the best but found the worst. Oh well, guess at least I know for sure now. On a side note, my ABS has started to "shutter" during normal stopping from low speeds. From what I have read on here, sounds like my speed sensors in my front hub assemblies are giving me problems. When it rains, it pours! Frome the prices of the speed sensors, I would be better off to just replace the entire hub assemblies. What do you all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted October 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandostert Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Have you changed the fluid. My diff made a little noise it's all gone after a fluid change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Yeah, I changed the gear oil Thursday. Put in Mobil 1 syn. It has not helped at all. i guess it is too far gone to stop the whine now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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