03 Denali Front Differential carrier bearing going bad
- Thread starter humbo
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livingez_123
Full Access Member
I pulled mine out and took it to my local gear shop and they rebuilt it for $459.
Do it yourself and if can rebuild for less and get a decent warranty then that is the way to go.
I've done a lot of 'research' on this noise problem I have with the front axle and there seem to be a lot of 'opinions'. Some say carrier bearings. Some say propeller shafts. Some say they all make noise. How in the hell do you know? I can't afford to be throwing money at the problem hoping that this or that will fix it. I've had on GM mechanic tell me it was a carrier bearing. Another said it was a propeller shaft. Another said it was CV joints. Another said they all make that noise--live with it. The best wisdom seems to be on this site and that is that GM's AWD system sucks. So I've started another thread to see if it can be made an 'on demand' system.
I should have done my research. My bad.
I should have done my research. My bad.
I getting ready to rebuild mine in my garage just heads up what I found not all bearing kits come with all the bearings to replace them all.
I now have to order 3 more bearings to do mine I though that were in the kit already.
What I understand it a 4 or 5 hour job.
I now have to order 3 more bearings to do mine I though that were in the kit already.
What I understand it a 4 or 5 hour job.
I have a quote from Midwest Transmission Center for $866.67 plus freight for a completely rebuilt front differential. There is a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty included. They replace anything that needs replaced in the rebuilding process plus all bearings, seals are new. Ring and pinion are replaced if necessary as are all other parts. BBB rating of A+. Anyone have experience with these people? My son-in-law and I just installed a lift in his garage and he will swap it out for me.
Wake
Full Access Member
That's an amazing price. Differential work is hard to find local anymore, most places do an R&R swap from a chain rebuilder. The only local shop I could find wants $1000 and that is with me doing the R&R.
I got a spare now that I took a chance on an eBay used salvage unit that was actually worse off than the original in my truck. Going to try rebuilding it myself one of these days.
Wake
Full Access Member
I've researched it a bit on the net and it doesn't appear there is anything that can be done other than a normal rebuild.
One of the common failures is the tab that holds the adjusters where you set the lash, surprisingly I came across no improved pieces.
thechevyman
TYF Newbie
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After you get it rebuild or installed. Run it for 500-1k miles and drain the gear oil.
Replace with a quality gear oil like Royal Purple and cahnge it every 15k-20k miles. You should get another 100k out of the carrier bearings.
In the AWD Denali and Escalade, the constant load on the front pinion puts a load on the carrier bearings. They are going to wear out faster than a selectable 4wd system. However, If those selectable 4wd system are left in Auto mode all the time. Thier carrier bearings will lift a shorter life as well.
Replace with a quality gear oil like Royal Purple and cahnge it every 15k-20k miles. You should get another 100k out of the carrier bearings.
In the AWD Denali and Escalade, the constant load on the front pinion puts a load on the carrier bearings. They are going to wear out faster than a selectable 4wd system. However, If those selectable 4wd system are left in Auto mode all the time. Thier carrier bearings will lift a shorter life as well.
