Ride quality, what does a bad front diff feel like?

[Derick]

So in various other threads, I've mentioned both of the following;

-My ride comfort is non existant. It's like riding in a lumber truck, and I have all new joints, and suspension parts. I get that it's a 2500, and its still and rigged for towing. But i get weird vibrations all the time at the wheel, and it constantly feels like I'm always driving on a washboard (albeit mild) road.

-My front diff is on its way out. I've changed the fluid twice in a little over a year, and its just jam packed with metal. So much that it doesnt even feel like oil anymore. Various discussions have led me to RockAuto to get a new diff for about 700 bucks. Ok, thats on my radar now.

So I guess my question here is, can my ride comfort be affected by the diff that's probably near failure? There are some times that its smooth as silk driving down the road (athough bouncy), and others where its like whaaaaaaaaattttttissssssshapppppennnnnninnnnngggggherrrrrreeeee?

 

[GreyStone]

So in various other threads, I've mentioned both of the following;

-My ride comfort is non existant. It's like riding in a lumber truck, and I have all new joints, and suspension parts. I get that it's a 2500, and its still and rigged for towing. But i get weird vibrations all the time at the wheel, and it constantly feels like I'm always driving on a washboard (albeit mild) road.

-My front diff is on its way out. I've changed the fluid twice in a little over a year, and its just jam packed with metal. So much that it doesnt even feel like oil anymore. Various discussions have led me to RockAuto to get a new diff for about 700 bucks. Ok, thats on my radar now.

So I guess my question here is, can my ride comfort be affected by the diff that's probably near failure? There are some times that its smooth as silk driving down the road (athough bouncy), and others where its like whaaaaaaaaattttttissssssshapppppennnnnninnnnngggggherrrrrreeeee?

have you ever replaced your front shocks?

 

[drakon543]

depending on whats specifically causing the failure but yes its definitely possible to get that from a failing diff. could still be something else though. however if you have started a discussion about your ride quality already i would have posted this question in that thread. dont want to seem mean but bouncing between 2 threads to see what might have already been suggested to check then back to here to make a suggestion is pretty bothersome. but thats a yes to your question in this thread. if its that bad i would stop driving it completely tho. driving along and having the diff suddenly lock up at speeds could end up with you and or someone else in the hospital. also if the vibrations are coming from the internals vibrating from something being lose having the diff detonate is also a possibility.

 

[Derick]

have you ever replaced your front shocks?

Yup all new shocks

 

[GreyStone]

Yup all new shocks

what pressure are your front tires at

 

[Danny3737]

Sounds like either bad shocks, tires out of balance or a bent wheel. My 2004 Denali’s ride is smooth as silk with all its original components, but I only have about 115K on the clock. A warped rotor or sticking caliper will give you a sensation through the steering wheel as well.

 

[swathdiver]

So in various other threads, I've mentioned both of the following;

-My ride comfort is non existant. It's like riding in a lumber truck, and I have all new joints, and suspension parts. I get that it's a 2500, and its still and rigged for towing. But i get weird vibrations all the time at the wheel, and it constantly feels like I'm always driving on a washboard (albeit mild) road.

-My front diff is on its way out. I've changed the fluid twice in a little over a year, and its just jam packed with metal. So much that it doesnt even feel like oil anymore. Various discussions have led me to RockAuto to get a new diff for about 700 bucks. Ok, thats on my radar now.

So I guess my question here is, can my ride comfort be affected by the diff that's probably near failure? There are some times that its smooth as silk driving down the road (athough bouncy), and others where its like whaaaaaaaaattttttissssssshapppppennnnnninnnnngggggherrrrrreeeee?

Drive over to Bill's place or meet him at a rest stop the next time he passes by on vacation and have him check it out for you. @intheburbs

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Tires?
Weel bearings?
Yes a trashed diff would not help the situation certainly.

 

[Derick]

Sounds like either bad shocks, tires out of balance or a bent wheel. My 2004 Denali’s ride is smooth as silk with all its original components, but I only have about 115K on the clock. A warped rotor or sticking caliper will give you a sensation through the steering wheel as well.

Shocks are bilstein 4600s....newish (like a year old). Tires are new (few months old), and the truck has been balanced and aligned various times recently. I had my rotors and brakes off a couple of weeks ago to install new front bearings. They looked even and straight. I dont have any pulse in the brake pedal.

 

[Derick]

what pressure are your front tires at

factory spec at 50