Broken front Diff.

[keith455]

I have a truck sitting in my driveway that I suspect has a broken front diff.
When driving straight it makes a kindof whining/marble in can noise, but when turning left or right there's a BIG bang clunking jerking noise. If I just idle and turn it will actually stop and if i hit the gas lightly it won't move. If i mash the gas it will get over the stuck part but it makes an awful clunk noise.
SO, what front diff should I be looking for. I notice in the manual it shows that there is a difference for AWD as opposed to 4WD.. Will a 4WD work? I think they'll be easier to find. I know I need a 3.42 gear..

Thanks

 

[jwaller]

ANY front diff with 3.42's will work. all you need to do is swap the passenger side axle and axle housing and the yoke for the drive shaft.

 

[ParTyBoy]

Re: Broken front Diff.

yep... sounds like you have a broken front differential... call a local junkyard and look around for a differential with 3.42 gear ratio out of a low mileage 4x4 S-10, Sonoma, Blazer, Jimmy ... Switch out the yokes... Inspect the passenger tube on your current differential for damage, then have that old tube installed on the new differential....

 

[syntax]

I have a front diff for sale out of my first syclone, email me at redbaron@lvcm.com for more info

 

[keith455]

Syntax - I'm going to try local places first if I strike out I'll let you know.

Also, Looking at the differences in 4WD and AWD what exctaly has to be changed? Does the whole diff have to come apart? How do you get the axles out of the housing?
What gaskets or whatever will I need?? Thanks
Keith

 

[Christian Dionne]

I thought the 4wd front diff was vacuum actuated? I know mine doesn't turn all the time, and I don't have to lock any hubs.

Keith if it can work, I'll give you mine. I don't have the front driveshaft in, and I never use the 4wd. My rear gear is 3.42 so I ASS-U-ME the front is as well.

 

[peterpaw]

hi there,

the ONLY difference between a sy/ty front differential is that the syty is always engaged.

you could use a stock 4x4 front diff and lock it into gear by tying off the rod that engages it.

or, now here's an idea:

get the $120kit (at summit) that allows you to manually engage the front differential; in this manner you could have two wheel when you want and AWD the rest of the time. for example there are few 4 wheel drive dyno's, most are 2wd and thus you could go to any dyno facility and use the chassis dyno.

peter
sy
zr2

 

[charles]

Can you give me specifics on this kit from summit, i looked around there website and couldn't find it.

Thanks

 

[jwaller]

yes its a push pull cable thingy, the only problem is that just like the transfer case it wont disengauge until you let out of the gas and coast for a bit.

 

[peterpaw]

hi there,

here is the summit information:

POS-PSL500 Pos. Engage.Sys., Chev/GMC S10/15 PU/Blzr./Jimmy 1983-01, w/Vacuum Actuator

i had a lot of trouble locating it originally, having remembered seeing it. in this case i just ordered one for myself,so i looked up my order; it is in the catalog, i just dont remember where. i am going to use it for the stealth '97 lowered ZR2 that i am building.

when i removed the 4x4 transfer case and replaced it with a AWD transfer case, i eliminated the vacuum lines and electrical connections. at first i planned to simply tie off the rod in the engaged position. then i figured i could have it both ways and will be installing this mechanical linkage.

peter