Front end Q's

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Front end Q's

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Blazer >> Mechanical & Maintenance >> Steering, Suspension & Drivetrain >> Front end Q's

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Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 12:01:49 PM

blazinloud

Posts: 2425
Joined: 2/8/2006
From: Saskatoon, Canada
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Alright well I went to Mr.lube for an oil change yesterday, and the guy working under my truck said that I have something (cant remember what he called it) leaking up front. He said that if I tryed to put it in 4x4 it would grind really bad.

can anyone give me some insight please?
maybe a rough idea on what needs to be done, and maybe a guesstimate price?

snow is coming and theres no way I wanna be on the highway in 2hi!

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 1:52:32 PM

cliro

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From: Calgary, AB
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is it the front transfer case thats leaking.

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 2:54:54 PM

BigGreenMonster

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I'd say so. If the seal is leaking, its a couple bucks for the seal plus whatever general shop labor is. If the transfer case itself has issues, they run a few hundred for a reman'd.. again, plus shop labor.

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 3:42:46 PM

thegr81

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From: PHOENIX,AZ
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i would say transfer case because thats were 4wd is engaged

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 4:50:44 PM

Blaze GM4

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Joined: 10/18/2007
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I'm guessing since he said "up front" that it's your front diff. Mine has been leaking for the last 5 years or so and since it's such a big deal to change them out i've been putting it off. All i do is keep up fluid levels and change the oil twice a year.

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 10:00:27 PM

Chevy Lover

General Tech Moderator
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From: Vancouver. B.C. Canada
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If it's the front diff....if it's the front diff pinion oil seal it's not a big deal ( about an hour job and a $5 seal)
If it's a diff axle seal it's a bigger job, about 4 hours and a $5 seal.
If it's just a small leak (seeping), just keep an eye on it and keep the diff oil topped up.

Best to find out for sure what is leaking and how bad it is.

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 10:05:07 PM

thegr81

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i would go with what chevy lover said plus just get under there yourself and clean around everywhere then wait a lil bit and check back to it unless you can see the leak or were it originated from then go from there

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/20/2007 11:36:20 PM

blazinloud

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From: Saskatoon, Canada
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thanks for the info guys

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/22/2007 10:15:19 AM

blazinloud

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From: Saskatoon, Canada
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I'm pretty sure its either 1 of the 2 CL mentiond.

lol, I dont even know where to top up the front diff......ugghhh, lol

my 4 wheel drive dosent work right now anyway

so I have to get that done 1st, and then find out why the light is stuck in 4hi.

damn, I've been driving this truck for a little over 2 years, lets see
new battery
new alt
new heater core
radiator
plugs/wires/pcv
fuel pump/filter
and what still needs to be fixed
4 wheel drive
right front ball joint
windshield
drivers side mirror
*possible tranny problems*
flasher

but ya you guys get the point, think I could have payed this off twice now......

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/22/2007 11:21:23 AM

drperry

Posts: 3901
Joined: 1/12/2007
From: GP AB CA
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sparkies don't count, lol.

Check the left axle seal... Mine was fixed a little while back, so it might start leaking there first, lol.

As for filling it... It's pretty easy to see once you crawl underneath and look... I forget off the top of my head where the fill plug is, but the drain plug is dead center, bottom, drivers side... Well, on the iron front diff, anyway...

If I remember right, the drain plug should be pointing at an angle towards one of the sides... I forget which...

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/22/2007 12:14:46 PM

blazinloud

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From: Saskatoon, Canada
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I have those dang skid plates, hard to see anything

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/22/2007 3:55:08 PM

drperry

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From: GP AB CA
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Look in from the side, or just behind the front skid plate, the diff isn't really covered by the skid plate...

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/22/2007 7:00:15 PM

blazinloud

Posts: 2425
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From: Saskatoon, Canada
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ok, so am I looking for like a dip stick? or just a threaded plug?

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/23/2007 1:08:14 AM

drperry

Posts: 3901
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From: GP AB CA
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Threaded plug for both... The drain plug looks pretty much exactly like the oil pan drain plug...

I'll crawl underneath and snag a pic or two for ya...

Edit:

Here's some pics... Not sure if it's different for the aluminum diff, but if you bring a magnet underneath with ya, and it sticks to the housing, you're lucky enough to have the iron diff, lol

edit 2: dunno if it's my computer or not, but the labels I put in only show up when I click the picture, lol, anywho, hope this helps!

Thumbnail Image

Thumbnail Image

Attachment (3)

< Message edited by drperry -- 10/23/2007 1:48:54 AM >

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RE: Front end Q's - 10/23/2007 5:40:13 AM

swartlkk

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From: Waterloo, NY
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Just be aware that not all 4wd's had a drain plug. There were two versions of the aluminum front diff housing. One with a drain plug, and another without it... Makes for fun fluid changes.

Anyway, if you do not have a drain plug on the driver's side, then you will need to use a suction pump to remove the old oil out through the fill hole. Once you get it close to empty, clean the suction pump and reverse it to push the new oil back into the diff until it's full.

And if it's leaking, just keep an eye on the fluid level at each oil change.

< Message edited by swartlkk -- 10/23/2007 5:41:09 AM >

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