Denali front differential rebuild question (spanner lock tabs)

[thechevyman]

I am getting ready to rebuild my front differnetial in my 2003 Denali. 104k miles. (whine and grind on light acceleration 15-40 mph)

I know that a common problem with the design is the failure of the spanner lock tabs on the bearings.

I have a part number to replace the stock spanner lock tabs.
GM Part Number: 15588312
LOCK, Differential Bearing Adjusting
COST $1

Is there an upgrade to this spanner lock tab design?

What are the best bearing kits? Randy's (ringpinion.com), Timken?


Thank you in advance for any sugestions.

 

[redemn93]

just check your hubs for noise first. i was 100% positive my front diff was bad cause of what i found when i drained the oil for service. shortly after, the noise started. i started pricing around a rebuild cost. was doing brakes yesterday, and found the drivers side hub was toast. i luckily had one on the shelf. swapped it. nice and quiet again.

 

[thechevyman]

My front hubs are good and have been replaced in the recent past.

I'm quite certain its the front differential carrier bearings making the noise.

Just wanting advise on the rebuild of the differential.

Want to use the best bearings and make upgrades to the current design.

 

[afpj]

Check this out: lots of pics, but doesn't specifically mention upgrading the spanner lock tabs IIRC. Sorry, cannot help on the specific tabs question, but hope this guide helps. It was a long one so I didn't go through it again but he may have addressed your lock tabs...

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/foru...-differential-**56k-beware-pic-heavy**-13813/

redemn93, how did you determine hub bad? shake the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock position? noise when turning wheel by hand?

 

[redemn93]

pulled the wheels and turned the hub. the noise also sound like its the diff but if i did the screwdriver stethoscope trick, it was the hub. i dont like the 12/6 test. a bearing can make noise without being loose.

 

[Yngbld32]

I have the same whine and grind upon acceleration. Sounds like I have a project to do before it grenades.

 

[thechevyman]

I have decided to take mine to a shop for the rebuild.

When I purchased this truck 6 months ago I changed all the fluids at 102k miles. I had an unusual amount of metal shavings on the front differential drain plug. I could hear some noise from the front diff but nothing really bad but I think it has gotten worse. After 3k miles on the new oil I drained the front differential again. I had plenty of metal on the drain plug, enough to tell me there is a problem. Especially after only 3k miles.

I decided to get mine fixed now to avoid a failure on my next 2500 mile round trip to south Florida with my familly onboard.

I would have tired this job myself but i don't have much experience setting up gears so I though the best route was to let a pro handle this one.
$850 for the entire job, 1 year, 12k mile warranty

They plan to use Timken bearings and new lock tabs. I will be dropping it off next week.

 

[Yngbld32]

Well I got my truck I have from my mom. Her mechanic replaced Carrier, pinion, and housing bearing. Everything, almost....

 

[01ssreda4]

Mine has slight whine but no grind. 180k. I'm gonna ride it out and see how long she lasts.

 

[black79ta]

I rebuilt mine..used Randy ' s ...timken..lock tabs from dealer. The modtruckcentral thread is great also Randy ' s differential book. It would have been easier to have it done but what the heck...learned a lot.