2002 Front Differential help needed

[larry arizona]

I have a 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 1500 with a 3.73 gear with 50k miles (maybe 1000 miles used in 4WD mode).

 

The front differential has a gear whine. Took it to the Ring and pinion shop and they said it sounds and feels like backlash needs to be adjusted. $550 to R&R the diff and adjust it.

 

Sounds like the going rate and they said they would replace the bearings while they were at it.

 

Well being mechanically inclined I figure I can do this myself.

 

Does anyone have the spec for the backlash and what should I expect in terms of time to pull the front diff.

 

Question is why would the backlash change after 1000 miles of actual use. Are the adjuster nuts locktited or someway locked? Once adjusted it should not move.

 

Diff works fine it is just noisy in 4WD only.

 

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

LA

[chevroletmb]

i have seen a few front diffs where the carrier adjuster locks have broken allowing the adjusters to back off. also if the bearings are worn it can increase backlash.

without all the right bearing pullers, race installers, and special adjuster tools i would advise against doing this yourself. theres alot more specs than just backlash, like pinion preload, carrier preload.

[garyandtricia]

I have a 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 1500 with a 3.73 gear with 50k miles (maybe 1000 miles used in 4WD mode).

 

The front differential has a gear whine.  Took it to the Ring and pinion shop and they said it sounds and feels like backlash needs to be adjusted.  $550 to R&R the diff and adjust it.

 

Sounds like the going rate and they said they would replace the bearings while they were at it.

 

Well being mechanically inclined I figure I can do this myself. 

 

Does anyone have the spec for the backlash and what should I expect in terms of time to pull the front diff. 

 

Question is why would the backlash change after 1000 miles of actual use.  Are the adjuster nuts locktited or someway locked?  Once adjusted it should not move.

 

Diff works fine it is just noisy in 4WD only.

 

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

LA

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I had three front diffs replaced in 30,000 miles because of noise. Turnrd out that the cause was the transfer case set up too tight. This caused wear on the pinion bearings. It appears that this is a common problem. GL