Is my front axle about to fail? See pics.

[pittmanb8]

A little background- about 3 months ago I bought a 2004 Yukon Denali XL with about 34k miles. I was doing some fluid changes today and the below came out of my front axle drain plug. I have also included a pic of the clean drain plug. Does this look like normal wear and tear or is my axle about to have serious problems? I have not had any problems but want to know if something is coming my way. Thanks for your help.

 

[NathanJax]

Mine was the same at 70,000 miles. I was told to give it another 20,000 and check it again. From doing searches, this is a common thing...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/resources/...and-rear-differential-fluid-in-your-half-ton/

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...2566-front-diff-transfer-case-how-change.html

 

[WoldD90]

This is fairly common across most brands... That is why they provide a magnet on the plug.

 

[unixadm]

That's quite a bit of metal. If the diff is still quiet, do a service on it with fresh fluid. Change the fluid again 5k miles later and see how it is. I had my Yukon at the dealer a few days ago. The diff tech said I was on borrowed time and I had less metal than that. He said they fail quite often. Estimate of $1,000 to rebuild at the dealer. I did a full service on the diff when I got home and it has 142k on it - no noise yet. Knock on wood. That seems like an excessive amount of metal for a low mile vehicle. The tech told me, he's seem them fail with 10k and encouraged me not to buy a used one cause you never know with these aluminum diffs.

 

[NathanJax]

That's quite a bit of metal. If the diff is still quiet, do a service on it with fresh fluid. Change the fluid again 5k miles later and see how it is. I had my Yukon at the dealer a few days ago. The diff tech said I was on borrowed time and I had less metal than that. He said they fail quite often. Estimate of $1,000 to rebuild at the dealer. I did a full service on the diff when I got home and it has 142k on it - no noise yet. Knock on wood. That seems like an excessive amount of metal for a low mile vehicle. The tech told me, he's seem them fail with 10k and encouraged me not to buy a used one cause you never know with these aluminum diffs.

Good info. This is what I've been reading as well...

 

[WoldD90]

aluminum diffs.

Aluminum does not stick to magnets.

 

[unixadm]

Aluminum does not stick to magnets.

Yes, I know that. However the differential casing is made of aluminum, which is not the best material for a differential case. The metal IS coming from the bearings and gear set, but some believe the actual aluminum casing contributes to the failure of these differentials. Plus these do not decouple fully meaning the internals are rotating at all times even on non-AWD models.

 

[yooformula]

damm thats what mine looked like today! I plan on servicing the diff again at next oil change, it's too easy not to.

 

[gtbigup01]

Man makes me want to go check mine, and I just paid $331 to do a 75K mile service, I'm sure differ fluid change was not inclided. I'll have to go check

Nope just regular oil change and the rest of other stuff

At my request:
1.Tranny flush + service
2. BG Fuel injection service w/filter change

 

[Max]

Mine wasn't that bad but it was close. I swapped to royal purple and it's been fine since. I'm checking it again before my warranty expires but it stopped whining after I swapped to synthetic fluids...better mileage too.