Problem with the Suburban

[HatenWinter]

I have a 2001 Suburban and I think the rear end is going out, bad sounds coming from that area. Has anyone had to replace the gears in the rear end of their trucks or SUV's??? Just curious what kind of coin I'm going to cough up. Also, If I do have to replace them should I go with a different gear ratio since it's only a half ton with the 5.3L? Thanks!

[Sleek-Jet]

1000 - 1500 depending on who you have do it and what gears they use...
Expect a minimum of 8 hours labor to change 'em.

[Daytona100]

I have a 2001 Suburban and I think the rear end is going out, bad sounds coming from that area. Has anyone had to replace the gears in the rear end of their trucks or SUV's??? Just curious what kind of coin I'm going to cough up. Also, If I do have to replace them should I go with a different gear ratio since it's only a half ton with the 5.3L? Thanks!
Might be able to get away with just bearings. Usually the ring and pinion are ok. Ill do it for a couple hundred bucks. Certified GM tech 20+ years exp. If you change the gear ratio you,ll have to recalibrate the vehicle for the new ratio. Call Mike 1-909-239-6240.

[HatenWinter]

Might be able to get away with just bearings. Usually the ring and pinion are ok. Ill do it for a couple hundred bucks. Certified GM tech 20+ years exp. If you change the gear ratio you,ll have to recalibrate the vehicle for the new ratio. Call Mike 1-909-239-6240.
Thanks! I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow morn. to get the problem diagnosed first. Once I find out what it is I might take you up on your offer. What city are you in?

[HatenWinter]

1000 - 1500 depending on who you have do it and what gears they use...
Expect a minimum of 8 hours labor to change 'em.
Kind of what I was thinking, thanks alot!

[Daytona100]

Thanks! I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow morn. to get the problem diagnosed first. Once I find out what it is I might take you up on your offer. What city are you in?
Hemet ca. Do,s the noise go away when the tranny shifts to second gear?

[HatenWinter]

Hemet ca. Do,s the noise go away when the tranny shifts to second gear?
No. it really doesn't seem to be related to the tranny. It gets loudest at around 55-60mph but goes away for the most part when I let off the accelerator.

[Daytona100]

Ring and pinion going away.

[HatenWinter]

Ring and pinion going away.
I'll let you know tomorrow.

[HatenWinter]

Got the call from Chevy this afternoon. Bad gears and ring and pinion....$1,700. Gonna be a lean Christmas now :crossx:

[Daytona100]

Call up lakenor auto salvage see how much a good used diff complete would cost. They warrenty there parts and you can usually save a ton of cash.

[HatenWinter]

Call up lakenor auto salvage see how much a good used diff complete would cost. They warrenty there parts and you can usually save a ton of cash.
I hate to say it but their already working on it, I can't wait to look for better deals right now cause I need the thing back pronto! I really appreciate all the help/advice though. If I lived closer I would have brought to you!

[Daytona100]

Im always looking for the cheaper way. I dont now how people can afford to pay for repairs these days. All the dealers are charging almost a 100.00 an hour labor anymore. We dont get that and I couldnt imagine paying that amount of money to fix something. Hope it all works out.

[HatenWinter]

Im always looking for the cheaper way. I dont now how people can afford to pay for repairs these days. All the dealers are charging almost a 100.00 an hour labor anymore. We dont get that and I couldnt imagine paying that amount of money to fix something. Hope it all works out.
Trust me, I can't afford it!

[eek-a-RAT]

I have a 2001 Suburban and I think the rear end is going out, bad sounds coming from that area. Has anyone had to replace the gears in the rear end of their trucks or SUV's??? Just curious what kind of coin I'm going to cough up. Also, If I do have to replace them should I go with a different gear ratio since it's only a half ton with the 5.3L? Thanks!
you can count on full diff replacement & gears. the diffs in those are weak.
it is known as a gov-lok (sp) i see them broken all the time.
to do it right, you have to rebuild the whole rear axle if you want the new diff to last. all new bearings, diff & gears. dont put another gov-lok back in, stick a aftermarket diff back in, or you will have the same problems.

[Rexone]

I had a 97 1/2 ton, carrier bearings were toast at 60K, and I mean "really" toast. Fortunately I can do the work myself but still a PITA. Factory carrier preload on the carrier was way way too tight. I loosened it up and it was a happy camper after that.
Good oil helps dif life too, along with changing it regularly.
100 bucks an hour geezus. Maybe I should go back into the repair biz.

[HatenWinter]

I guess it was pretty bad. They are replacing the ring and pinion as well as the gears and other bearings, etc. I had the diff. oil changed a year and a half ago so it's not like it was neglected! My buddy had to replace his carrier bearing twice, once at a whopping 15,000 and again at 60,000. I guess now all can do is wait for the transmission to go out and it should all be like new!!!

[Daytona100]

No problems I do trannys to!!!!

[HatenWinter]

No problems I do trannys to!!!!
I'll keep your number close by this time :)

[Sleek-Jet]

100.00/hr <------- the reason I taught myself how to change a ring and pinion...
It took me a while the first time, but I can get it done over a weekend now that I've been through it a couple times.
The best advice I ever recieved was to buy Dana gears. They seem to always install very close to the proper depth and mesh pattern. Very little tweaking.

[HatenWinter]

Going to pick it up! I also had a check engine light come on. The code is P0442. Emission control system leak (small). Bought a new gas cap and the light came on after 1,000 miles. Chevy is telling me now that it is coming from the check valve on the gas tank and that I need to replace the whole tank tothe tune of $1,000. This is right after I just dumped almost $2,000 into it already! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[HMF'er]

Going to pick it up! I also had a check engine light come on. The code is P0442. Emission control system leak (small). Bought a new gas cap and the light came on after 1,000 miles. Chevy is telling me now that it is coming from the check valve on the gas tank and that I need to replace the whole tank tothe tune of $1,000. This is right after I just dumped almost $2,000 into it already! :mad: :mad: :mad:
Sounds like a bad flux capacitor :boxed:

[HatenWinter]

Anyone want a suburban for really cheap???

[Rexone]

There's some good GM techs on the forum. Post it in Gearheads.

[RitcheyRch]

Was going to suggest calling my buddy, Tony, at Hoopers Rear End Exchange in Sun Valley.

[HatenWinter]

Im holding off on the gas tank thing for awhile. Dosen't seem that critical. Does anyone know a good mechanic near ventura county that can do that kind of work?

[HatenWinter]

There's some good GM techs on the forum. Post it in Gearheads.
Thanks, I'll try it there.