fire0662000 Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 Got a 03 SSS and want to upgrade the current stock 8.5 10 bolt with a beefier 10.5 14 bolt from a 2500, will there be any issues with this swap? Its an AWD and w/ 100k and the stock rear differential is whining under slight acceleration, so just going to swap it. Any info or ideas, comments in regards to this will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desrtrat Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 are you sure the whining is coming from the rear? 03-04 AWD are known for having bad front carrier bearing issues. mine sounded like i had a bad rear pinion bearing, with 190 mi. on it. turned out to be the front carrier's that were bad. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire0662000 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 No, not 100% sure but I guess I will take it to the shop and let them diagnose the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black6spdz Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Could just be pinion bearings in the rear too. With awd the stock 10 bolt seems to do ok. I have done nothing but change the fluid in mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1BAD2K Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 No issues really. Brakes will swap over, but be clocked differently. Ring and pinion will need to be swapped to 4.10:1 to match the front diff, also I think you'll need a bastard u joint. This is assuming you mean the 14 bolt 9.5" semi floater. The 14 bolt 10.5" is a full floater and is gonna be a more intense swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 I would open up the cover and take a peek and replace the fluid. It could also be a wheel bearing. They are known to make the same sounds as a bad diff when they go bad. The wheel bearings dont have to have play in them to make noise. They can be tight as can be, the bearings just start to go. I had that issue with my front driver wheel bearing. Thought it was humming and going south, replaced the fluid in the diff and transfer case, and no change. I started to sweat bullets and used my mechanics stethoscope and found the wheel bearing was bad. If you do check this way. Make 100% sure the truck is on suitable jack stands that will support the weight, be in the right place, on level surface, since the truck has to have the wheels off and in drive idling. Or find a buddy etc with a lift. Thats the safer way, but still be cautious. You dont want a truck over 5,000 LBS falling over you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire0662000 Posted June 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 Ok, diagnosis was bad rear pinion bearing, and I mean bad. Gonna be costly but it getting fixed and I am having the front diff, and the trans serviced also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire0662000 Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 After a little while in the shop, it turns out both the front and rear both had bad bearings, which required a total rebuild of both ($$$$$), but it is now done and the truck is in the paint shop for a total repaint due to Chevrolet's inability to spray "Victory Red" and clear that can stand up to the Florida sunshine. But it going to be bad ass when its done!!! Thanks for all the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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