Front Differential Fluid Contamination?

[SilveradoRST]

I notice the 2019/2020 the inner CV axles slide into the front diff as oppose to the previous generation where the inner cv axles where attached to the sealed front diff with 5-6 bolts.  Sorry if I'm not explaining this with the correct names of the parts.  All new to me.

 

I'm wondering what are the risk of front diff fluid contamination if a cv axle needs to be replaced?  I know everything should be clean on the new cv axle, but in case I run into a careless dealer tech doing the job, is contamination possible?

Edited November 7, 2020 by SilveradoRST
Said trans originally, should be front diff.

[Jav_eee]

Front differential*

As for contamination? I’m not sure. Sorry!


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[SilveradoRST]

Oops you're right.  It should be: Can it contaminate the front diff fluid, not transmission.  Maybe I'll have to do a new post if I don't get any answers.  My title is wrong.  Thanks Jav_eee. 

[davester]

Sure, with the shaft out, the fluid could be contaminated, but they would have either intentionally do it (spoon dirt in the diff), or be incredibly lazy/incompetent (as in, have a bunch of dirt on the end of the shaft, then jam it the diff).

 

But if you are concerned about something like this happening, you either need to be standing there while the mechanic is doing the work, or you need to do the work yourself...

[redwngr]

There are many many many procedures that if done wrong are going to cause damage or future problems.  

 

 

 

 

[newdude]

On 11/5/2020 at 8:32 PM, SilveradoRST said:

I notice the 2019/2020 the inner CV axles slide into the transmission as oppose to the previous generation where the inner cv axles where attached to the transmission with 6 bolts.  Sorry if I'm not explaining this with the correct names of the parts.  All new to me.

 

I'm wondering what are the risk of transmission fluid contamination if a cv axle needs to be replaced?  I know everything should be clean on the new cv axle, but in case I run into a careless dealer tech doing the job, is contamination possible?

 

Front diff fluid contamination?  Slim to none.  You'd have more of a risk of a piece of dirt falling in when opening the fill plug if you didn't wipe it and the area around it off than if you change a CV shaft. 

 

Also, the CV splines slide into another set of splines, and there is no fluid in there.  Just spline on spline with a retainer ring.  

Edited November 7, 2020 by newdude

[newdude]

Here are a couple pictures.  CV splines to the shaft piece in the second picture.  On the spline end of that shaft is where a bearing and the axle seal sit around. 

 

This truck, the previous owner had installed the factory 2 inch lift, but we think someone goofed on the CV install.  Tech put it in the air and he found the CV about 2/3rds the way out of where its supposed to be.  Notice though, only water/moisture/air got on the splines of the CV and the splines inside the shaft from the axle, no diff fluid anywhere to be seen. 

 

[SilveradoRST]

Wow newdude, thanks so much for this.  Nice to see pics, really helps with visualizing all this.  

 

Sort of off topic now but a quick short follow-up.

 

Aside from the cv axle not being installed properly which caused corrosion, is it wise to put some grease on the splines to prevent corrosion even when installed properly?  I'm in Canada, so I'm always thinking about corrosion.

[newdude]

1 hour ago, SilveradoRST said:

Wow newdude, thanks so much for this.  Nice to see pics, really helps with visualizing all this.  

 

Sort of off topic now but a quick short follow-up.

 

Aside from the cv axle not being installed properly which caused corrosion, is it wise to put some grease on the splines to prevent corrosion even when installed properly?  I'm in Canada, so I'm always thinking about corrosion.

 

 

Eh.  I wouldn't if it were my truck unless I was replacing the shaft or it was removed for some reason.  Not worth taking apart for that.