I cant get on SSS forums at the moment so I cant search on there if there is a write up or other thread. So... I lowered my SSS with the belltech spindles and shackles, 2 inches, and afterwards I noticed a vibration at around 70mph. Due to lack of free time and alot of other things, I was unable to look into it. I had a feeling the front pinion angle was off a little bit after researching. Then, right before I left for my deployment about 3 weeks ago, I noticed my front diff was leaking where the driveshaft comes in...So that was a goddammit moment. Granted it could just be a seal and dont need to replace the whole thing, but from what I've heard that's just as costly as replacing the whole thing, not sure though. BUT, about how difficult is it to pull out and replace the front diff myself? What all will I need? AAAAAAAND, being that it's gonna be kind of hard to find a SSS in the junkyard, what diff's are the same that I can use? Any other advice is appreciated too, I'll have to fix it as soon as I get back before I can start moving into a new place and stuff, and want to do it myself

Thanks

 

Seeing how the front diff's on these trucks are such a constant problem, you are better off having your diff rebuilt then getting one from a junk yard. Based on your symptoms, yours might just need a new pinion bearing and seal. Do you have any groaning in the front end at all?

 

no, no groaning. Thing is, I had my diff replaced 18k miles ago by the dealership when I got the truck because the pinion bearing/seal went out, from what I heard is pretty typical because it was at around 45k on the odometer. I remember THAT groaning haha. I tried takin the truck back and playing the dumb card, said I didnt know what happened it just started leaking, they only had a 12k mile warranty on it though...

 

Replacing the diff as one unit isn't bad at all. Unbolt the half shafts, DS, and a couple bolts that hole it in.

I had to replace the passenger seal in mine early in its life. That wasn't too difficult either but it's a 4wd unit so the passenger unit and axle came off.

Replaced the entire front diff when I swapped to 4.10 gearing. I found a cheap low mile unit and was actually cheaper than doing a gear swap.

 

granted this is all hearsay, but dont you need a certain tool to work on these diffs to replace the seals?

 

I didn't need one on the seal I replaced. I don't remember the specifics and I'm talking about the outermost seal in the axle tube.