Problem With Worn Rear Differential

[pgg211]

Hi all.

 

My first newbie post to this forum.

 

I was hoping you all could provide some input on a problem I have. I have a 2001 Sierra1500 4WD with the stock 4.10 limited slip diff in the rear.

 

I had the oil changed at 50K and just now had it changed at 100K. At the 100K oil change, the tech noticed and showed me that one of the Spider gears was severely worn. The teeth edges are now points and the tips show where small fragments are breaking off. This is only on one gear. The others look reasonable. I only do some light towing (<2000lbs) on occasion but mostly the truck has seen pretty light duty use. Any ideas why this has worn prematurely? Is it just bad juck to get a flawed gear from the factory? Are these rear diffs prone to issues?

 

Also, I was hoping some folks could ring in on some options I should explore. The shop quoted me $2K for a rebuild. Are there recommended gear units I could/should replace/upgrade this with? If so, is this a DIY job to someone who is somewhat familiar with wrenching but hasn't dived into a diff yet?

 

Thanks ahead.

 

Paul

[cao88c]

Hi all.

 

My first newbie post to this forum.

 

I was hoping you all could provide some input on a problem I have. I have a 2001 Sierra1500 4WD with the stock 4.10 limited slip diff in the rear.

 

I had the oil changed at 50K and just now had it changed at 100K. At the 100K oil change, the tech noticed and showed me that one of the Spider gears was severely worn. The teeth edges are now points and the tips show where small fragments are breaking off. This is only on one gear. The others look reasonable. I only do some light towing (<2000lbs) on occasion but mostly the truck has seen pretty light duty use. Any ideas why this has worn prematurely? Is it just bad juck to get a flawed gear from the factory? Are these rear diffs prone to issues?

 

Also, I was hoping some folks could ring in on some options I should explore. The shop quoted me $2K for a rebuild. Are there recommended gear units I could/should replace/upgrade this with? If so, is this a DIY job to someone who is somewhat familiar with wrenching but hasn't dived into a diff yet?

 

Thanks ahead.

 

Paul

 

I think that the tech is trying to screw you. (If what you say is correct.) First off, worn spider gears are no cause for a complete differential rebuild unless they fragmented whle you were driving on the highway!

 

As far as the labor, it is pretty technical, and you do need some special tools, hardest part is setting the backlash on the ring gear. (go to www . pirate4x4 . com) and there is a great writeup on how to set up gears, and rebuild diffs. I build front and rear ends for off road vehicles, and I really don't think that this is something that you should tackle on your own.

 

But that tech that quoted you 2k to rebuild your diff is smoking some good stuff. Go somewhere else. Put it this way,

 

Detroit truetrack Limited Slip: $425.00

 

Ring and pinion with master install kit: $240.00

 

Labor: $200.00

 

It should be around 1K ( that's assuming that your ring and pinion is toast.)

[K.Jump]

Hey, I had the same problem over a year ago in my 00 sierra. I pulled out from a side road got going and BOOM BANG...rear end grenaded! I pulled the rear diff cover and the spider gears had sheared off. Luckily my buddy had the exact rear end sitting in his back yard and he let me have just the spider gears out of it(he owed me a favor, shew). So long story short I replaced the spider gears myself and wola good as new. My neighbor's 01 sierra did the EXACT same thing about two months later. I told him what I just told you and he went to gm and bought just the spider gear and wola, just like new! Let me know if you have any questions I'll help.