RacerJJ

I asked the other day about the front, now I am wondering what differential we have in the front. I am trying to gather parts for my rebuild in the future.

Lucas Oil 20-50 synthetic racing oil with a K&N Filter and one quart of Lucas synthetic oil stabilizer. Lucas Oil, keep that engine alive! Can you tell they are my sponsor???

I've thought about it but I think it is cheaper to fix my front diff in the long run. Plus, I love AWD for bracket racing...no traction issues FTW!!!

Cool, thanks. While I'm in the front, I'm thinking of getting into the rear too and putting in some 4.56's.

What rearend does an 03 AWD have? I am trying to get some prices on gears.

It's broken... I am thinking carrier bearing and I am hoping nothing else. I didn't drive it much after I recognized a problem so I am hoping the ring and pinion didn't get torn up. It's going to into the shop in a week or so.

Yes, I do! I don't want to ship though...

I don't have pics but just imagine an SSS with no Passenger or back seat.

I'd like to do option one ASAP! Hit me up Art.

Rebuild my front diff, get a new front diff, or convert to 2WD?

Just wondering if anyone would be interested in my truck. It has been pretty much gutted for drag racing, built tranny with a PI converter that has never had any issues. engine has never had any issues, speed density tuned with multiple PCMs to go with it, fiberglass cowl hood unpainted, have the stock hood, front doff is toast, two sets of wheels (AR black 22's and AR aluminum 16's. Makes a great race truck with a new diff or great for parts or a project truck. Never wrecked, all straight. Would anyone buy this for say $9-8k?

Thanks P. Now I am just trying to decide if I want to fix it or try to sell it for parts so I can buy something different. My third option is to convert it to 2WD.

Well, the final verdict is in...my front diff is toast. Found huge chunks of metal when I did a flush of it today and it is still clunk, clunk, clunking away. So I am done racing until I can get her fixed or off load my problem on someone else. Question...has anyone changed their front diff themselves? Is it difficult? Is it something I could do in my garage?

I think you are ok at 210 for a short period of time. As for the upgraded trans cooler, they are relatively cheap and easy to install so I wouldn't delay too long on that unless money is really tight.

Yes, I did.

I put shorter wheels on (about 1 to 1.5 inches shorter than what I had before) and ever since, I have been having a clunk issue in the drive train and now squealing. I just finished puting new hubs and bearings in the front and that seems to have fixed something but I'm not sure untill I am able to drive it around some more. I made some quick lads around my complex and have no cluck or squeal so we will see what happens.

I wouldn't say that mine is two inches either. More like an inch or so. When I turn the wheel when it's up in the air, I hear the same clunk that I think I am hearing when I am driving lately. Not sure if it is something wrong or just drive line clunk due to messed up angles with my new wheels.

How much play does everyone have in their front end? For example, if the truck is up in the air and you grab one of the front wheels and try to turn it in either direction, how much play is there before it catches and turns the other wheel with it?

Sounds kind of like my problem except that I have a clunk and it started with a clunk. The clunk continues but now I have the squeeks and squeal to go with it. Mine too is only sometimes so the stealership probably wouldn't be able to find it either if I brought it in. The wheel bearing can cost a ton if you get original GM parts (which are crap anyway). I am doing mine as we speak and the parts were $119 + tax for each hub/wheel bearing assembly from AutoZone. The process is time consuming but really very easy. I found a great how-to Here. Some of the bolt sizes are different for us than what he mentions in the thread because we are not an 8-lug HD but the overall process is the same. Please trust me when I say to save your money and DIY on this project. It is really easy and kind of fun at the same time (I thought anyway). Good luck!

I am dealing with a mystery clunk right now too except mine is inttermitent. Good luck finding the problem. I have had minimal suggestions and can't seem to get much help on every site I've been to. My next attempt at a fix is going to be the front hubs.

Still there despite my best steering shaft stroke, fluid changes, and bushing/ball joint lubing. No there is some squealing/squeaking involved but everything is still intermittent. Is it my wheel bearings? Any ideas, please.

I had those and they were a waste and a paint to install. Not worth the time and money. I now have the Pacesetters...easy to install and awesome!

Just a thought...could this be happening because my new wheels are NOT hubcentric?

I'm with you Dylan! I hate this guy and I hate the Dodgers so this news actually makes me happy. As for roids in baseball, I just don't get it. i mean, is it really that difficult of a game that these idiots need to shoot up to get an edge?

Can't find the clunk!!! I got under the truck to day with the intention of changing the t-case fluid but I couldn't get the drain and fill plugs loose (is there some kind of friggin secret to this?). So, while I was under there I changed the front diff fluid and checked all of the u-joints and stuff. Went for a drive and boom, CLUNK very loud when I was OFF the gas. I even felt it in the steering wheel. I was going straight at the time. Turned around, felt no clunk in the wheel )maybe some minor little pops) started down the road again and CLUNK, felt it in the wheel again. Could this be as simple as the steering shaft clunk? The truck drives fine and has no loss of power when the clunk occurs but so far I have only felt it when going straight which I would think would rule out the steering shaft. Any ideas would be appreciated.