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Shocking Amount Of Shavings: Front Differential Drain Plug

OU812

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OU812 Enthusiast

OU812

Posted
Posted

I own a 2003 Suburban Z71. I have never owned a chevy truck before and I just recently used in began using the 4 wheel drive system for winter driving. I have been noticing a lot of niose in 4 wheel. I decided to change the fluid and check the drain plug because I read that they have collection magnets in them. When I pulled the plug out I was shocked to see a large amount of sludge covering the and and when i wiped the sludge away a suprizing amount of metal shaving had collected on the magnet.

 

 

This cannot be normal can it?

Is this a good indicator my Front diff is shot?

If so is this a normal occurance for these trucks?

 

The truck has 98,000 miles on it. I have owned it for about 8,000 miles.

 

Any input is appriciated!

 

Thanks!

 

Plug.JPG

rogerf Enthusiast

rogerf

Posted
Posted
This cannot be normal can it?

Is this a good indicator my Front diff is shot?

If so is this a normal occurance for these trucks?

 

The truck has 98,000 miles on it. I have owned it for about 8,000 miles.

 

Any input is appriciated!

 

Thanks!

This should not be a problem. With this much mileage its best to pull the cover is clean it inside.

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

Looks normal.

I usually change the frt. diff. fluid for the first time on my trucks around 15-20,000 miles (Keep in mind I've had 9 trucks over the last 20 years) thats pretty much what my drain plug magnets always looked like (Maybe just a little less shavings,but you do have 98,000 miles on it and you don't know if the previous owner ever changed it)

OU812 Enthusiast

OU812

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the reply's! :dunno:

 

I replaced the fluid today with Synthetic. It must have been pretty low because less than a quart came out and I put back near 1 3/4. I dont doubt it was never changed before like what has been mentioned above.

 

What about the noise? I had a Dodge 3/4 ton pickup with 200k before this and the front diff never made more than a hum at highway speeds. It doesnt sound like gears gnashing or anything, but it is very noticable.

 

Again, I appriciate the input! :happysad:

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

Looks like every one I've seen. First change has all of that shrapnel from initial breakin. No worries.

 

Time to worry is when your fluid drains out looking like heavy metallic paint.

98 Z71 SLT Senior Enthusiast

98 Z71 SLT

Posted
Posted

EVERY response to your original post is LIES

 

These guys obviously don't know what they are talking about...

 

You need new side carrier bearings in your front differential.

 

When a magnet collects that much hairy metal, you KNOW you got a problem. The side bearings are toast, creating the noise you are hearing.

 

Go to a qualified frame and axle repair shop...they can rebuild the diff for you. Usually, you can get by with new side bearings, bearing races, and side adjusters.

 

If you decide to let this problem go, and not take care of it...you'll end up buying a new ring and pinion, and a case too.

 

I've rebuilt alot of these front diffs...any questions pm me...

dlstewart01 Senior Enthusiast

dlstewart01

Posted
Posted
EVERY response to your original post is LIES

 

These guys obviously don't know what they are talking about...

 

Your response probably could have been a little more tactful. While every poster was trying to be helpful and posted their opinion. The fact that they may be wrong is debatable. I would say the noise points to problems. The amount of shavings??? maybe not.

 

Have a good one, :happysad:

 

Don

wlvrn1215 Senior Enthusiast

wlvrn1215

Posted
Posted
EVERY response to your original post is LIES

 

These guys obviously don't know what they are talking about...

 

You need new side carrier bearings in your front differential.

 

When a magnet collects that much hairy metal, you KNOW you got a problem. The side bearings are toast, creating the noise you are hearing.

 

Go to a qualified frame and axle repair shop...they can rebuild the diff for you. Usually, you can get by with new side bearings, bearing races, and side adjusters.

 

If you decide to let this problem go, and not take care of it...you'll end up buying a new ring and pinion, and a case too.

 

I've rebuilt alot of these front diffs...any questions pm me...

 

now thats a dickhead thing to say now isn't it. :happysad:

 

your just full of cheer today aren't you. Between this post and the other comments you've made today, If you can't be more tactful then STFU! Have a good one.

VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
Posted
EVERY response to your original post is LIES

 

These guys obviously don't know what they are talking about...

 

You need new side carrier bearings in your front differential.

 

When a magnet collects that much hairy metal, you KNOW you got a problem. The side bearings are toast, creating the noise you are hearing.

 

Go to a qualified frame and axle repair shop...they can rebuild the diff for you. Usually, you can get by with new side bearings, bearing races, and side adjusters.

 

If you decide to let this problem go, and not take care of it...you'll end up buying a new ring and pinion, and a case too.

 

I've rebuilt alot of these front diffs...any questions pm me...

 

now thats a dickhead thing to say now isn't it. :happysad:

 

your just full of cheer today aren't you. Between this post and the other comments you've made today, If you can't be more tackful then STFU! Have a good one.

 

 

+1

 

(oh, and it's "tactful") :dunno:

wlvrn1215 Senior Enthusiast

wlvrn1215

Posted
Posted
EVERY response to your original post is LIES

 

These guys obviously don't know what they are talking about...

 

You need new side carrier bearings in your front differential.

 

When a magnet collects that much hairy metal, you KNOW you got a problem. The side bearings are toast, creating the noise you are hearing.

 

Go to a qualified frame and axle repair shop...they can rebuild the diff for you. Usually, you can get by with new side bearings, bearing races, and side adjusters.

 

If you decide to let this problem go, and not take care of it...you'll end up buying a new ring and pinion, and a case too.

 

I've rebuilt alot of these front diffs...any questions pm me...

 

now thats a dickhead thing to say now isn't it. :happysad:

 

your just full of cheer today aren't you. Between this post and the other comments you've made today, If you can't be more tackful then STFU! Have a good one.

 

 

+1

 

(oh, and it's "tactful") :dunno:

 

 

 

 

 

damn I had it right the first time. :sigh:

VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
Posted
EVERY response to your original post is LIES

 

These guys obviously don't know what they are talking about...

 

Your response probably could have been a little more tactful. Every poster ment well and posted their opinion. Wheather thay are wrong is debatable. I would say the noise points to problems. The amount of shavings??? maybe not.

 

Have a good one, :dunno:

 

Don

 

 

Well BrianDon, since you fixed "tactful", maybe you also want to fix "meant" and "whether" now too. :happysad:

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