2001 Suburban, New Rear End?

ScottyBoy · January 12, 2009

I have a 2001 Suburban with about 80,000 miles on it. Its a 2wd ls model, 5.3 ltr engine with heavy duty towing package , and a trans cooler. I've been hearing a clunking sound every so often under my truck for about 2-3 months now, which I assumed was some suspension bushings going bad. I finally took in in to get checked out (because I realized my extended warranty is about to expire) and explained my symptoms. I got a call a few hours later and the guys telling me I need a whole new rear end (which should be covered by my warranty. But due to the cost, and the fact that my warranty will expire in a matter of days, they seem reluctant to pay for it. The dealer service dept said they wont autorize any repairs until they send out an "adjuster" to verify the damage and we'll go from there. Now I have a few questions.

Can the warranty people try and say its my fault for not changing the rear end fluid? Is it common for the rear end on these trucks to fail? I dont do heavy towing, all I tow is a 5x14 utility trailer with a 4 wheeler, sometimes 2 4 wheelers. Total weight of the trailer and the 2 4 wheelers is definitely no more than 2400-2800lbs. When I first purchased the truck, I towed an oldsmobile cutlass on a tandem axle car hauler (easily 6500-7500lbs.)from New Orleans to Shreveport, LA (about 350miles), that was the most weight I've ever towed.

hockeypro1411 · January 12, 2009

I'd be in there bitching all day, everyday, and would not leave until that was fixed under warranty. I'm making a guess here, but I'd think as long as you filed a claim within your warranty time, they have to fix it regardless if it's after the warranty period or not. Otherwise I'll tell you right now that the "adjuster" thing was to waste time to run your warranty out. I'd file the claim with the stealership ASAP.

2000DV4.8 · January 12, 2009

I'd say as long as the problem was acknowledged by them during the warranty period, they would have to cover it.

jrrod2004 · January 12, 2009

I'd say as long as the problem was acknowledged by them during the warranty period, they would have to cover it.

+1 just like an accident claim and insurance.

royalsierraguy · January 12, 2009

Until your warranty fully expires, they should replace whatever part it is.

MarkD · January 12, 2009

Extended warranties are like that. 100% profit. Hold their feet to the fire. If it is not specifically stated in your warranty agreement, they have to fix it.

ScottyBoy · January 12, 2009

Well it seems the dealership has my back all the way on this. Its the extended warranty company that seems to be giving the run around. I looked thru the "components coverd"section in my policy and the rear axles, pinion gears , seals and all internally lubricated components should be covered. It just seems funny the want to have "an appraiser" look at it first before they will agree to pay the dealership (where they told me to bring my truck to) any money for repairs. The last claim I made, it was no fuss and they paid everything (but then again it was only about 500$ in repairs) The service rep at dealer also said he has it documented on all the paperwork when I brought my suburban (date and time) , when he called the warranty people to get the repairs authorized, and that they told him to stop all repairs until they send an appraiser out. He said legally, they have to pay for it, but he can also understand how they would want to "verify" the damages for themselves being that its a $3000+ repair. Basically it seems he's on my side. But I'm already getting all my ducks in a row if they try and pull some funny business. I'll threaten to sue them for "specific performance under a contract". I guess the warranty company is pissed becaus ethey sell those warrantys to make money. How they gonna make money off me if they sell me a warranty for 1800 bucks, I already made a claim for around 500bucks, and now 3000+ in repairs need to be done, just days before they think they are homefree on my warranty? I'm the kind of person the HATE. All they do is lose money on me. I'm sure my flood insurance company felt the same way after Katrina. They had to pay me a small fortune after my home was flooded , after I paid them only a few hundred dollars in premiums just months before.

jrrod2004 · January 12, 2009

Well it seems the dealership has my back all the way on this. Its the extended warranty company that seems to be giving the run around. I looked thru the "components coverd"section in my policy and the rear axles, pinion gears , seals and all internally lubricated components should be covered. It just seems funny the want to have "an appraiser" look at it first before they will agree to pay the dealership (where they told me to bring my truck to) any money for repairs. The last claim I made, it was no fuss and they paid everything (but then again it was only about 500$ in repairs) The service rep at dealer also said he has it documented on all the paperwork when I brought my suburban (date and time) , when he called the warranty people to get the repairs authorized, and that they told him to stop all repairs until they send an appraiser out. He said legally, they have to pay for it, but he can also understand how they would want to "verify" the damages for themselves being that its a $3000+ repair. Basically it seems he's on my side. But I'm already getting all my ducks in a row if they try and pull some funny business. I'll threaten to sue them for "specific performance under a contract". I guess the warranty company is pissed becaus ethey sell those warrantys to make money. How they gonna make money off me if they sell me a warranty for 1800 bucks, I already made a claim for around 500bucks, and now 3000+ in repairs need to be done, just days before they think they are homefree on my warranty? I'm the kind of person the HATE. All they do is lose money on me. I'm sure my flood insurance company felt the same way after Katrina. They had to pay me a small fortune after my home was flooded , after I paid them only a few hundred dollars in premiums just months before.

aint life grand when that happens

ScottyBoy · January 12, 2009

UPDATE: Good news guys, I just got word from the dealer that the "appraiser" finally showed his face and agreed to pay for all repairs. My truck should be good as new by tommorrow. Now I'm not so angry, lol Made me feel like "bussin a cap in they ass". Now I feel a lot better.

But anyways..... still wondering why my rear end went out in the first place. why???

hockeypro1411 · January 13, 2009

UPDATE: Good news guys, I just got word from the dealer that the "appraiser" finally showed his face and agreed to pay for all repairs. My truck should be good as new by tommorrow. Now I'm not so angry, lol Made me feel like "bussin a cap in they ass". Now I feel a lot better.
But anyways..... still wondering why my rear end went out in the first place. why???

Who cares? Lol it's being fixed.

ScottyBoy · January 13, 2009

Who cares? Lol it's being fixed.

I care, because if it 's something to do with towing, or my driving style,(lead foot) then hopefully I can NOT do again whatever caused it to go out. Because if it ever happens again, it wont be getting fixed for free. Not to mention, I treat it like a 4WD when I'm hunting, driving places only 4WD trucks should go. Got her stuck a few times up to the rocker panels in mud.

dorman68 · January 13, 2009

I have seen a few GM rear axle assemblies fail. It appears to be a fairly common failure for the GM trucks. The ring and pinion gears are prone to pitting and become noisy.

ScottyBoy · October 23, 2012

Well.....sadly I have to update this thread as my rear end is shot again.

As I was on my way home from work the other night, I mashed my gas pedal and then I heard a loud bang/boom. It sounded like my damn driveshaft exploded or something. I quickly noticed that my truck would no longer move in Drive. I coasted to the side of the road and got out and looked under my truck with a flashlight. My drive shaft was still there and everything "appeared" fine (no fluid leaking everytwhere). I got back in the truck and tried to drive it, but when I put the transmission in Drive, it acted like it was in Neutral. Same thing when I put it in 3rd gear. I put it in 2nd gear and I could drive forward. I quickly noticed that although I could drive, I kept hearing an awful banging/clanging coming from under the truck, especially when I would turn a corner. I limped it home in 2nd gear driving 20mph the whole way since I didn't want to wait for a tow truck at 3:30 am. I took it to a transmission shop and he told me today that the spider gear in the rear end is shot. They need to put a new spider gear in before they can even properly test drive it to check out the transmission. Can the spider gear locking up destroy my transmission?