Need a new front differential 2004 Tahoe

[Tim Brubakken]

2004 Tahoe ....the front differential is toast....grinds in auto4 4hi and 4lo
3.76 GT4

Two places that worked on other things both thought a rebuild could be more expensive than a replacement...

Any advice on places to find one.... I’ve found a few that are as high as the dealer quoted....have to believe there’s a better option. What else do I need to now to ensure a part will work.

 

[mals]

2004 Tahoe ....the front differential is toast....grinds in auto4 4hi and 4lo
3.76 GT4

Two places that worked on other things both thought a rebuild could be more expensive than a replacement...

Any advice on places to find one.... I’ve found a few that are as high as the dealer quoted....have to believe there’s a better option. What else do I need to now to ensure a part will work.

I've had the ATP front diff for my AWD GT4 bookmarked since I did my front diff fluid change and found silver fluid and a fuzzy magnet. So far it is holding together, but I'm sure one day I'll need to swap it out. In my research they had the best warranty (5 year / 100,000 Mile) at a somewhat reasonable price.

Here is the link to their 4WD GT4 Front Differential and it looks like it is available at Rock Auto for $1,157.79. If you do go with Rock Auto, make sure to use the 5% discount code they have listed in their vendor thread on this forum.

 

[Doubeleive]

if money is a issue, junkyard or pick n pull, etc I think I paid like 150 its not hard to do at all, just pick the cleanest looking one around. any yard will have cross over years/models info.

 

[M1Gunner]

2004 Tahoe ....the front differential is toast....grinds in auto4 4hi and 4lo
3.76 GT4

Two places that worked on other things both thought a rebuild could be more expensive than a replacement...

Any advice on places to find one.... I’ve found a few that are as high as the dealer quoted....have to believe there’s a better option. What else do I need to now to ensure a part will work.

II rebuilt/overhauled my front diff and regeared to 5.13’s in just over 2.5 hours and that’s completely reinstalled with fluids filled.

My carrier bearing races were toast!

 

[M1Gunner]

2004 Tahoe ....the front differential is toast....grinds in auto4 4hi and 4lo
3.76 GT4

Two places that worked on other things both thought a rebuild could be more expensive than a replacement...

Any advice on places to find one.... I’ve found a few that are as high as the dealer quoted....have to believe there’s a better option. What else do I need to now to ensure a part will work.

I’m assuming no codes?

 

[rockola1971]

It boils down to how much money do you have to spend and how much damage has been done to your gears up front. If the gears are chewed up (and they most likely are) then those with labor and all new bearings and races installed aint gonna be cheap. You would be better off with the rockauto unit mentioned above with a warranty on the whole thing but there is labor involved there too if you cant do it yourself. Then if a used unit will do i would search the salvage yards and install or pay someone to install. Car-parts.com searches salvage yards across the U.S. most ship but keep in mind truck deliver of $150+ is involved.

As M1 Gunner mentioned. Any codes stored?