Rear axle replacement

[David Kriss]

My 2001 Yukon XL SLT was recently hit in a paring lot (hit and run) and the rear axle was bent. It looks like an easy job to replace but I have a question about buying the axle. I see a wide variety of prices. From $80 to over $200. I prefer to spend as little as possible but I don't want to replace it again because I bought crap. Does anyone have recommendations on brands to buy and/or avoid?

 

[UrbanSuburban]

that's a bummer, hope you found the swine. As for your axle, for it to bend there would be a lot of force on that. You should also check out the surrounding area as well. As for 'Brands' the only axle that I am aware of that came with this vehicle is the GM corporate 8.25 ring gear. there may be others that have made axles for this but I am not sure. When getting a used one, as that is the cheapest and probably the only way due to the age of the vehicle, check and see if the fluid inside is good, no water, and see if it has the G80 locking diff if that is what you want. Your truck probably already had that in the old one. The seals and bearings would warrant a look as well, changing them when the axle is not on the vehicle will be easier. The only downside will be it will cost more. If it was me I would also put a new ujoint on as well. Good Luck with it

 

[zraffz]

At $80-$200, I assume he's talking about the axle shaft and not the entire rear lol...

 

[UrbanSuburban]

hah, never thought of that, but 200 for a wrecked axle is not out of the ballpark, I also assumed it was the 1500 and not the 2500 series

 

[David Kriss]

I am looking at the axle with bearing and seal. Not the whole rear end. It is a 1500. From what I've found online, it should take about an hour to replace the axle. It would cost a lot more and take longer to replace the whole rear end.

I can tell that the axle is bent because I could see a slight wobble in the wheel when I was following my wife while she was driving. The seal isn't leaking and the bearing isn't making any noise. The only symptom is the bottom brake silencer on that wheel keeps breaking. It sometimes falls out shortly after it breaks. I have replaced it every couple months since it was hit. I've tried replacing the pads, had the rotors turned and used a GM brake kit. I'm thinking that the wobble is putting enough stress on the thin metal that it eventually breaks.

 

[zraffz]

Are you sure the wheel isn't bent?

 

[David Kriss]

Are you sure the wheel isn't bent?

I recently had the tires rotated and the same wheel still wobbles.

 

[swathdiver]

No funny sounds coming from the pumpkin? You might want to pull the wheel after putting it up on jackstands and let the motor turn the axle at idle and see what's going on. Are you also replacing that side's bearing and seal?

Until or unless I discovered who made them for GM, I'd be inclined to go with Dorman.