Front differential question

[phwe9774]

I recently noticed what looked like an oil leak under the front end of my 2004 Z71. Upon inspection, I found that it was coming the front diff/axle. It's not coming from the diff itself but from a part on the passenger side that the 4WD shift solenoid goes into. I've looked up the OE part number (40023477 K5 is all stamped on it) and I can't find anything that looks right.

 

I'm a fair DIY mechanic. Is this something I can reasonably do at home if I can find the part or should I just put it in the shop?

 

Thanks in advance

[newdude]

So...is it on the outer end of that tube that houses the axle actuator, said tube that comes off the differential on the passenger side? Or does it leak where it bolts to the differential?

 

[phwe9774]

It's where the first 3 on the number 373 in your picture.

[newdude]

12479320 is for that whole axle tube/housing (the one that bolts to the diff, has that ear on the right and the actuator screws into it). 22761722 is the seal for the stub shaft on the end of the tube. As far as DIY...

 

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

1. Drain the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement.

1. If only replacing the right side inner shaft and/or housing, follow the steps below. If only replacing the left side inner shaft, proceed to step 16.

1. Remove the stabilizer shaft link assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.

1. Disconnect the electrical connector from the electric motor actuator.
2. 
3. Disconnect the wire harness from the inner axle shaft housing.
4. 

5. Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.

   Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.

6. 
7. Remove the inner axle shaft housing nuts from the bracket.
8. 
9. For 25/35 series vehicles, perform the following steps in order to provide additional clearance so the inner axle housing can be removed from the vehicle:

1. Remove the front axle mounting bracket to frame nuts.
2. Slide the front axle mounting bracket towards the engine. It may be necessary to pull down on the inner axle housing and/or push up on the mounting bracket in order to gain clearance.

1. Remove the inner axle shaft housing bolts from the differential carrier case.
2. 

Important: Keep the open end of the inner axle shaft housing up.

1. Carefully remove the inner axle shaft housing assembly from the differential carrier assembly.
2. 
3. For the 8.25 inch axle, remove the following components from the inner axle shaft housing:

1. The clutch fork inner spring (10)
2. The clutch fork assembly (11)
3. The clutch shaft shim (9)
4. The clutch sleeve (8)
5. The clutch gear (6) by doing the following:
   1. Clamp the inner axle shaft housing (4) in a vise.

      Clamp only on the mounting flange.

   2. Strike the inside surface of the shaft (1) flange with a hammer and a brass drift in order to dislodge the front drive axle clutch gear (6) from the inner axle shaft (1).
6. The thrust washer (5)

1. For the 9.25 inch axle, remove the following components from the inner axle shaft housing:

1. The clutch fork inner spring (10)
2. The clutch fork assembly (11)
3. The clutch shaft shim (9)
4. The clutch sleeve (8)
5. The retainer ring (7)
6. The thrust washers (5, 6)

1. Remove the inner axle shaft (2). Tap out the inner axle shaft with a soft-faced mallet, if necessary.

1. Remove the inner axle seal and the bearing from the axle housing. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Seal and Inner Shaft Bearing Replacement.

[phwe9774]

Do you know of a good place to order one? None of my local parts stores have one

[chevy250]

What year of front diff can i put in my truck? i have a 2005 silverado 1500 with 3.42 gears

[00Silverado4x4]

Could you just drop the diff, fix the leak and reinstall? There are some videos I've seen on Youtube that make it look pretty straight forward to.

[phwe9774]

No, it's not the diff that's leaking