Front differential noise in 4WD

larry arizona · January 9, 2005

2002 Z71 PU. Anyone's front differential seem loud when 4WD is engaged. 4WD Works fine just seams to be excessive gear whine and a slight hum or buzz is felt in the steering wheel.

Is there a bearing in the diff that can easily go bad? front drive shaft u-joint bad?

any thoughts?

50,000 miles on truck. maybe 1000 miles have been driven with 4WD engaged.

LA

biochemist · January 9, 2005

Hello,

Please read my post yes, mine has done this since new, (I do not feel a vib in the steering though). Dealer(s) have drinven it, said, "what is the problem, I do not hear anything abnormal"? Mine works fine (except for a hour ago...read my first post)...Is your automode silent? Mine is, but sometimes has a little extra noise, but not as much as 4Hi...

Tony

Beer Belly · January 9, 2005

I have an '04 2500HD with 8,000 miles on it, used the 4WD for the second time before the Front Diff went South, Thank God for warranty. The dealer said the Pinion Bearing Siezed, they couldn't remove it and had to replace the complete unit.

teamjnz · January 9, 2005

I have a 2000 Silverado and I hear noise too when in 4 wheel mode. I have been wondering the same thing, if something is going bad.

teamjnz

larry arizona · January 9, 2005

Mine is the same in 4Hi and auto mode.

I suspect a pinion bearing and will try using synthetic gear lube as a short term fix.

The rear diff uses synthetic from the factory but not the front diff.

Anyone swap a diff before. Looks fairly straight forward. I assume they can be rebuilt?

Does anyone know who manufactures this differential? Dana, New Process ????

I have always had luck with going direct to the supplier engineers.

Pretty sad that it would start going south with 1000 miles or less of use.

Maybe that is the problem, lack of use.

garyandtricia · October 23, 2005

2002 Z71 PU. Anyone's front differential seem loud when 4WD is engaged. 4WD Works fine just seams to be excessive gear whine and a slight hum or buzz is felt in the steering wheel.

Is there a bearing in the diff that can easily go bad? front drive shaft u-joint bad?

any thoughts?

50,000 miles on truck. maybe 1000 miles have been driven with 4WD engaged.

LA

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I had three front diifs replace in about a 20,000 mile period(30,000 on truck). When they did it the third time, they said that the cause was a tight transfer case. the clutch pack in the transfer case was set up too tight causing pinion bearing wear. GL