Growling Driver Side Differential (leaks Too)

[alwcurlz]

1999 Silverado 1500 Z71 with 133,000 miles on the driver side. I bought some bearing/hub sets and was going to put them in thinking the bearing was bad and was going to replace both left and right side. Well, when I had the wheel off, I spun the rotor and hear the growling noise but, not near the bearing hub. I put my ear near the differential and to my disappointment, the sound was coming from where the shaft goes into the case. The differential case is leaking. I checked the passenger side and it makes no noise. I wonder if I can continue to drive it like this and keep oil in it, will it be ok? A simple bearing replacement or total rebuild?

FixYa.com has a couple postings of the same thing.

[Alljackedup408]

how low was the fluid level after discovering the noise?

 

1999 Silverado 1500 Z71 with 133,000 miles on the driver side. I bought some bearing/hub sets and was going to put them in thinking the bearing was bad and was going to replace both left and right side. Well, when I had the wheel off, I spun the rotor and hear the growling noise but, not near the bearing hub. I put my ear near the differential and to my disappointment, the sound was coming from where the shaft goes into the case. The differential case is leaking. I checked the passenger side and it makes no noise. I wonder if I can continue to drive it like this and keep oil in it, will it be ok? A simple bearing replacement or total rebuild?

FixYa.com has a couple postings of the same thing.

[alwcurlz]

how low was the fluid level after discovering the noise?

 

1999 Silverado 1500 Z71 with 133,000 miles on the driver side. I bought some bearing/hub sets and was going to put them in thinking the bearing was bad and was going to replace both left and right side. Well, when I had the wheel off, I spun the rotor and hear the growling noise but, not near the bearing hub. I put my ear near the differential and to my disappointment, the sound was coming from where the shaft goes into the case. The differential case is leaking. I checked the passenger side and it makes no noise. I wonder if I can continue to drive it like this and keep oil in it, will it be ok? A simple bearing replacement or total rebuild?

FixYa.com has a couple postings of the same thing.

 

I put about 18oz gear oil in there.