Replacing rear axle on ‘03 AWD

[Mmkk111]

I tried searching but couldn’t find anything that answers my question….

So I just picked up an ‘03 SS and realized after I got home that the left rear axle flange seems to be bent a little (there a slight wobble in the wheel). The seller told me (and the Carfax confirmed) that he had a small fender bender and the other vehicle hit the left rear wheel. I have the wheel and the outer edge is cracked, but nothing too bad. He used it as an excuse to replace the wheels with something else. I’m going to make sure it’s not the wheel first before I tear anything apart.

So here’s my question: Is this AWD system considered a locking differential system? There are two different write ups on how to remove the axle and pinion shaft and I want to make sure I do the correct one. Do I need to lift all 4 wheels in order to move the drive shaft around or just the rear tires? Will they move in neutral?  

I don’t want to create a mess for myself. I’m handy and able to swap out an axle, I just haven’t done anything other than a 2WD vehicle before 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks!  

 

 

[dcairns]

GM called it a locking rear differential.

[Mmkk111]

I finally got it taken apart and tried two different Dorman axles from Autozone. They ordered the wrong one on the first try (non-posi). I got it in and the center pin would not go all the way in. It stopped about 1/2” from fully seating and it was hitting something solid…but all the gears were line up. I tried moving the axles in and out while pushing the pin, no dice. Then I noticed that the new axle stuck out into the center pin hole maybe 1/16” more than the other axle. It had a taper on the end and the OEM is flat. And I think that is what the pin was hitting.
 

I put the stock axle back in and the pin slide right in.  I took the axle back and got the other part numbered one for a posi/lsd diff. Put that one in…same issue 🤷🏻‍♂️. Now I’m scratching my head. Had to put the stock axle back in again and close everything up so I could move my truck and close the garage. 
 

I went to a local Chevy dealer to see what the part number was and if they had any. They put in my VIN annnnnd it’s a discontinued part 😏. Went back to Autozone and gave them the OEM part number and that pulled up another axle from a different brand, Motive (third one for those keeping count). Ordered it and fingers crossed it fits. If not, I’ll have to find one used somewhere. 
 

This has turned into a pain in the arse 👎🏼

[zippy]

The open and Gov-Lock should take the same axles. I've seen this listing before and from memory the difference is whether or not it is equipped with traction control even though some catalog's list it has the differential carrier being the difference. Some have a reluctor on the axle shaft for the ABS/Traction control. There should only be 2 different choices for a 2003 if they are looking it up corectly. 

[Mmkk111]

16 hours ago, zippy said:

The open and Gov-Lock should take the same axles. I've seen this listing before and from memory the difference is whether or not it is equipped with traction control even though some catalog's list it has the differential carrier being the difference. Some have a reluctor on the axle shaft for the ABS/Traction control. There should only be 2 different choices for a 2003 if they are looking it up corectly. 

I’m hoping that may have been the issue on the first two axles…that they looked up the wrong axles. The third one they pulled up with the OEM part number and it was a different brand, so fingers crossed it fits. I’ll give it another go this weekend. 

[someotherguy]

You're better off not using a Dorman axle anyway.  I don't even trust the cardboard their crap comes in.  They might offer a few useful parts but I'm not sure what they are..

And yes, your SS has a locking rear differential, you'll see the G80 RPO code on the service parts ID (SPID) label in your glovebox.  It's the Eaton Gov-Loc unit.  Since you have the cover off and will be needing to re-fill the gear oil, it's a great time to bring up this is not a posi unit, so don't put any posi additive in with the gear oil on re-fill.  Just use plain 75W90 synthetic gear oil, as indicated by GM in your owner's manual.

Richard