Well I have a 2004 Yukon Denali that seems to have the dreaded front end noise associated with carrier bearings going out. I called a few shops and they want between 600-950 to replace all the bearings in the front end and that just seems insane to me. I was wondering what was the normal going price to have this done. I also thought about buying a used differential and swapping it in, but a used AWD case is not cheap so here is my thought:

Can I just buy a 4wd front diff and swap out the passenger axle tube from my AWD diff to it and run it? Is there anything that I should replace while it is apart? Just wanting to make sure I have the right idea. I can get a 2001 diff with the correct gears out of a z71 for 275...

 

bump...

 

Not sure if it's really that simple... I personally have never had an AWD front case apart. If it is go for it. Just Be aware the case uses an anaerobic sealer to seal the matting parts. There is no gasket and its not Silicone or Loctite.

How do you know the other used unit is any good???

Might want to do the axle seal's while it's apart.

 

The price you were quoted is about normal, remember they need to pull the whole differential to do the job. As far as using a differential from a regular 4WD, yes you can by swapping the passenger side axle tube and the axle itself, as yours is a one-piece axle. I would try to pick up a unit that is 2001 or newer, as it seems hit or miss on the older units as to whether or not they have the grooves machined into the side gears for the axle clips. If you did pick up one that was missing the grooves for the clips, you could always swap out the side gears, but that sort of goes against why you would be doing this swap anyway. I would also at the very least inspect the drain plug on the unit your purchasing, as the 4WD units experience the same failures as the AWD units, only not as fast not being locked in 100% of the time. Weak is weak no matter which one you have.

 

thanks a ton for the information guys. I also was thinking the same thing about the diff I buy could be in bad shape as well. That is what has stopped me from buying a used AWD front diff...I think I am just going to have to bite the bullet and pay the piper.

 

You will be glad you did in the end!!!

Even in CA I have pulled a few used 4x4 units apart and inspected them. You can see pitting in the bearings from moisture. I had to have one built on a suburban that I rebuilt after a wreck. It was like $450 for them to replace all the bearings and re-assemble it. I supplied the new pinion and axle seals. I had to pull the unit and bring all the good parts down from the second unit. I couldn't locate a good used unit with the same ratio for less the $600. My gears were good but the case snapped. He said he wouldn't touch it for less then $650 if he had to pull it and could be as high as $900 depending on what it needed.

I wanted to just reassemble it with my parts in a good case but after I talked to the guy he said good luck and it would cost me triple if I screwed up the gears. In the end I was happy to have done it right