14 Bolt Rear Axle Upgrade - Going Into My Yukon

[hoorders]

Well I picked up that 14 bolt axle out of a 1500HD and im putting it into my yukon. Looks like its going to be a direct bolt in. All mounting points are the same as the original 10 bolt. Upon inspecting the 14 bolt....I noticed a small chip in one spyder gear. Its just at the very tip of the tooth...maybe 1mm, if that. I took some real close up pics of it.

I dont think its going to be an issue as the teeth on these gears are real beefy.

 

Just wondering your thoughts on it.

 

[Matt_]

I'd swap it out.... might be a good excuse to upgrade the carrier since spider gear sets aren't exactly cheap.

[hoorders]

I'd swap it out.... might be a good excuse to upgrade the carrier since spider gear sets aren't exactly cheap.

Problem is I have NEVER touched a differential as far as replacing gears in it. My concern is if I take somewhere they will hose me $1000+ for replacing the gears. Its quite a small chip off the top of that tooth that seems very unlikely it could cause an issue. Thats just my thoughts on it though.

[Matt_]

I'd swap it out.... might be a good excuse to upgrade the carrier since spider gear sets aren't exactly cheap.

Problem is I have NEVER touched a differential as far as replacing gears in it. My concern is if I take somewhere they will hose me $1000+ for replacing the gears. Its quite a small chip off the top of that tooth that seems very unlikely it could cause an issue. Thats just my thoughts on it though.

 

 

Replacing a carrier is a lot easier than replacing gears. Replacing the spider gears is even easier... but the spider gears cost half of what an upgraded carrier would cost.

 

Do what you want... but gears aren't something to screw around with IMO. It "might" not cause an issue, but if it does you'll be replacing carrier+gears+diff cover (if it gets blown out)+fluids+ a lot more labor.

 

Edit: you might also ask yourself... what caused that tooth to chip? Good luck.

[hoorders]

I'd swap it out.... might be a good excuse to upgrade the carrier since spider gear sets aren't exactly cheap.

Problem is I have NEVER touched a differential as far as replacing gears in it. My concern is if I take somewhere they will hose me $1000+ for replacing the gears. Its quite a small chip off the top of that tooth that seems very unlikely it could cause an issue. Thats just my thoughts on it though.

 

 

Replacing a carrier is a lot easier than replacing gears. Replacing the spider gears is even easier... but the spider gears cost half of what an upgraded carrier would cost.

 

Do what you want... but gears aren't something to screw around with IMO. It "might" not cause an issue, but if it does you'll be replacing carrier+gears+diff cover (if it gets blown out)+fluids+ a lot more labor.

 

Edit: you might also ask yourself... what caused that tooth to chip? Good luck.

 

Do you think the spyder gears from my original 10bolt rear end might fit? I know the ring gear in this 14bolt is 9.5" compared to the 8.5" in the 10 bolt but just wondering about the other gears. Maybe I should pop the cover off my 10 bolt and check it out.

Do the spider gears just slide out once i remove that large pin holding them in place? Or do I have to pull more 'stuff' out of the diff to gett he spider gears out. My worry is putting it back together 'properly' once I take it apart.

[Matt_]

Spider gears from the 10 bolt won't work. Different sized carrier.

[Jsdirt]

Yeah doesn't look like much ... but I've seen the carnage from spiders letting go on the highway. It isn't pretty .... or cheap. If your lucky they just blow a hole through the cover.

[hoorders]

Well I finished the putting the 14 bolt axle into my Yukon. And It was a DIRECT BOLT IN!!! I had to modify nothin. Leaf perches were exactly right, shock mounts in the same place, u-joint fit the rear yoke and my drive shaft is sitting at the exact same length as it was with the original 10bolt axle. Even my rear brake line, which was fairly new since I replaced it not too long ago was contoured just right to fit the tabs welded on the axle.

 

Its always nice when a mod goes well.....cause as you all know, it doesnt always go this smoothly.

 

This is a great upgrade!!!!!

 

Thanks for all your help and suggestions........