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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 8, 2013, 12:05 PM
Post #76 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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That's not a seal. It's just a slinger and dust cover.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 12:42 PM
Post #77 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Thanks.
All of the new bearings are the same size as the old except for the bigger pinion bearing. If you lay them flat side by side one is about 1/4" higher than the original. I called a few minutes ago and they said they've never seen this before and that the one that came in the kit is the one that is called for. He double checked on their system. What the heck do I do about this? Purchase the original size or go with the one that is called for? I'm going to call the dealership to see if they can tell me anything. It's the bearing that will affect the distance of the pinion to the carrier. I still have to review stuff but is there an adjustment you have to make for the pinion depth? If so, would 1/4" be too much to where even if I make the adjustments it could still be too tight on the ring gear?
I'll tell you what. Nothing ever goes smooth for me. I always seem to run into crap that nobody has ever seen before. I guess that's how you learn new things though.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 1:15 PM
Post #78 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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I called the dealership and got a part number that they show being on my truck. 9418356
I called locally and they were able to cross reference it with a John Deere but they sell the cone and bearing cup separate. The cone number is JD9043 and the bearing cup is JD9109. Now I'm trying to find the measurements of the bearing so I can figure out what the dealership says should be on my truck.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 1:48 PM
Post #79 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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After cross referencing the bearing that the dealer said should be on my truck the old bearing which is on the pinion is incorrect and the one that came with the kit is correct. I don't get it. The only thing I can think of is that someone had been inside that diff before. Maybe that's why it failed at only 83,000 miles.
Do you think I should use the bearing that everyone says is correct? I guess once I get it all together, and take the measurements, I'll know if it has the wrong size bearing, correct?
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 2:52 PM
Post #80 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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I'm not positive yet because I haven't removed the bearing from the pinion yet but I think I see the problem. Well, if it's even a problem. I think I see two shims. A very thin one and then one that's about 1/4". I wonder if this diff was once repaired and they added a thicker spaced instead of getting the right bearing. Then again, GM did declare bankruptcy so maybe they got a deal on the other bearings.
I'll know more once I get the bearing off.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 8, 2013, 3:15 PM
Post #81 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Don't mess with those shims. They set the pinion depth into the ring gear and that is critical.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 3:54 PM
Post #82 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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If I don't mess with the shims the correct bearing that should be on there is going to push the pinion 1/4" closer to the ring gear. Not sure if you read through my posts above but I checked with a few different places, including the dealership who went by my vin, and the old bearing on the pinion is supposedly the wrong one. I'm thinking the diff may had been opened up in the past, someone used the wrong bearing, and added a very thick shim.
What do you think I should do about this one? I did get a bunch of different size shims with my install kit so can adjust if need be.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 3:57 PM
Post #83 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Scratch that last post. There isn't a thick shim. The old bearing on the pinion is 1/4" shorter than what everyone says should be on there including the dealership who went by my vin. What do you recommend I do here? Stick with the original size or go with what should be on there?
(This post was edited by MarineGrunt on Apr 8, 2013, 4:54 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 8, 2013, 4:58 PM
Post #84 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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I don't know what you're dealing with there be you absolutely cannot change the pinion depth even .010 of an inch or the gears will howl. There is specific setup equipment that you will need if you cannot re-use the exact same setup.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 5:20 PM
Post #85 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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I did a search and found that the original bearing number is also used for my truck. Maybe someone had put a new rear end in that was different from the original and that's why the vin doesn't match what's in there. If I used the bearing the dealership said to use, that would be 1/4" more and would probably be so tight up against the ring gear it wouldn't move. I'm sticking to the original and feel confident about it.
So I don't have to even mess with pinion depth? I'm okay just leaving the shim in place and calling it good? What about backlash and preload?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 8, 2013, 5:33 PM
Post #86 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Backlash can be set with a dial indicator. If you re-use the shims at the carrier nuts, you shouldn't even have to mess with it. I usually check it by feel.
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nickwarner
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Apr 8, 2013, 6:34 PM
Post #87 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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That dust slinger on your yoke keeps dirt from chewing the new oil seal. If you get a new yoke you would want to transfer it to it.
The pizza oven is for putting on the new bearings. Put the carrier and pinion shaft into your freezer overnight, or get a cooler with dry ice in it and let it sit at least an hour or two. Take the new bearings and blast them real good with brake cleaner. You need to get the light oil they are packed in off so it doesn't burn and leave carbon residue. Put them in a cheap electric pizza oven or if the wife is going to be out for a while use the house oven. Get them heated to 250-300 degrees. Thats where the pyro gun comes in handy. Moving quickly, set your pinion upright and grab welding gloves (I know you have plenty of those). Grab the bearing and drop it on. Should drop right down. Keep a hammer and punch nearby unless you have to give it a small tap. You don't have a lot of time before the heat begins to equalize and the fit gets tight. Then move on to the carrier, repeating the process. You want to have the parts in the freezer or oven up until the last possible second to make this go smoothly, so don't get it all out at once.
Once you've done a few rearends setting backlash by feel is easy. For you, I'd use the dial indicator to be sure.
A torch works well to get the old bearings off, but since you are changing the carrier the pinion bearing is the only one you need to mess with. Cut the cage off so it and the rollers are out of the way and you can deal directly with the inner race.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 8, 2013, 6:39 PM
Post #88 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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I believe he has a press Nick.
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nickwarner
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Apr 8, 2013, 6:43 PM
Post #89 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Oven is more fun. Then you can get lunch started at the same time. Just don't get them mixed up or you'll have pepperoni for pinion bearings and be going back to the dentist after a bite into a Timken sandwich.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 6:49 PM
Post #90 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Thanks for the info Nick. My stepdad has a small press he made using a porta-power so I grabbed it yesterday.
I have some gear marking compound and some pictures of what the pattern should be. I'm hoping it's like you said and I won't even have to mess with it. I'm still going to check it with the dial indicator.
I wish I would've thought to do a search of the original bearing before I called the place where I ordered the Truetrac. The way he made it sound that other bearing being on there was way off. Then again though, the dealership confirmed it. After searching the net I see that there are all kinds of the exact same bearing that are used in GM diffs. I think on my truck the G80 was a special order diff so maybe that's where things got off track.
I've got the carrier bearings installed. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna run to a local implement shop and pickup the correct bearing for the pinion. I thought about just leaving the old one alone, but with all of the metal shavings, I probably shouldn't risk it.
It's always something isn't it.
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nickwarner
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Apr 8, 2013, 7:47 PM
Post #91 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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The gear marking compound is basically a final double-check to be sure all is good after you set backlash. I'd agree with changing that bearing too. When I see a bunch of metal shavings in a diff, all the bearings get tossed for new. Its not worth the chance to have one go out later and undo all your work, especially since that one bearing costs little in relation to the rest of the parts you already have out.
Getting this on some sawhorses helps, so next time you do one you may want to pull the rearend out of the truck. I'm sure you can fab up some frame stands pretty easy. Stacking wood blocks with a jackstand isn't sturdy enough. Since you're good with steel, its also pretty simple to make an adapter to hold the rearend onto an engine stand. I'll send you a blueprint after I make one up for mine.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 8, 2013, 8:08 PM
Post #92 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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My jack stands were tall enough to where I only had to use two pieces of 2x10 so it's only 3" of wood. I also have a 2' log that's about the size of a metal trash can under the hitch. I have two more logs, one on each side, of the frame just forward of the rear axle. I don't screw around when it comes to supporting a vehicle. Not that it would matter but during the day there's no one else here so I'd be screwed if it fell on my legs and I left the phone on the bench.
I almost did pull the whole rear end. I'm sure my stepdad has some taller stands. I still could've done it with mine by lower each side of the truck separately but I think it might've been a pain. Ha...I considered driving right next to the basketball pole, wrapping a chain around it, and using my come-along to lift it up. The post is 6x6 which is filled with concrete and is poured in 4'x4'x4' of concrete. I figure if I would've gotten right up next to it it probably would've worked. Once I got the rear end off I could've lowered down onto jack stands. I decided against it. I think the results would've been one of those pictures you see in an email. 
I don't know if you read my previous posts above but I had some confusion about the bearing on the pinion. You know, that's the worse part about working on my own stuff. I really enjoy but I don't have enough knowledge to be able to push through concerns that come up. With you guys helping me out I can normally get it figured out but crap like that drives me nuts. I still don't get how the dealership also had a different bearing listed. There were some markings on the old carrier so it makes me wonder if this diff was ever swapped out with another. With only 83K I don't see it but who knows. I'm just glad I'm back on track. It seems like it's always one little thing that makes me jump through hoops.
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nickwarner
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Apr 8, 2013, 8:18 PM
Post #93 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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With the big trucks we can't order parts by a year make and model of a truck. When I'm in a rearend job I have to get the manufacturer's model and serial number. Even then, I've seen Spicer and Rockwell catalogs have bad listings so I use the bearing numbers the most.
This is the fun of working on vehicles. There is ALWAYS one little thing on any project you do. Glad you didn't try the basketball hoop idea. I thought I was reading the introduction to a Darwin Award at first. Right when you think for sure it will hold, snap!
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Sidom
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Apr 8, 2013, 8:25 PM
Post #94 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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This is a real long thread so it might have been already been mentioned or will be mention but I'll just add a quick note since I've seen it happen too many times...
When you are reinstalling the shims, it's going to be very tight......Don't tap them with a regular hammer.....Use a brass or dead blow hammer.......A regular hammer will break the shims......
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Apr 8, 2013, 8:31 PM
Post #95 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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What really got me was that the dealership showed the same thing that the company I ordered the diff from said. Plus, with the gears being as bad as they were, I kind of wondered if someone did install the wrong bearing and that's what caused the failure.
Yeah, wasn't gonna do the basketball pole but it sure sounded good! I would've used a the chain on the vertical part of the pole and allow the weight of the truck allow the chain to grab it. We have to fly in certain things at work like that and they weigh tons. Then again, they have a much bigger insurance policy than I do. Another thing they don't have there is an old lady bitching about it the whole time.
Can't wait to see what HT has to say about the pole idea. I might just get another....."Oh mg, mg, mg" I always brainstorm ideas but hardly ever follow through on them if safety is a concern. Now if I didn't have kids that would be another story.
I'm sure you know how the Truetrac works but I was wondering how it worked going around curves or if one tire hits ice. I found this video on youtube that shows how it works. Seems like a pretty slick system with a very low failure rate. My rear end ought to last the life of the truck after this or at least I hope so.There's just not much to break. I never drive the crap out of it so I'm sure it will last. I wish it was still winter so I could see the difference it snow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTXvH3T8Bsg
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nickwarner
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Apr 8, 2013, 8:47 PM
Post #96 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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From what I've hear about it from offf-road guys who have put it in is that it lives up to the advertising. Cornering with a locker sucks and chews up your tires. Factory posi units are inherently weak and use clutches that burn up. Detroit knew people were looking for an in-between for the work truck that saw some trails but was a daily driver and this is what they came up with. On ice it is still a limited slip, so you won't have a one-legged rear end. I've noticed in trucks I've owned with a posi they tend to always want to walk out in one particular direction when you break traction. But it'll be a lot harder to get stuck on it for sure.
Let me know how this feels for you after you drive it a bit, I'm thinking of putting one into my truck. It has open diffs and thats not much good when I get off the pavement.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 9, 2013, 8:17 AM
Post #97 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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I pulled the bearing off of the pinion shaft and the new and old are pretty much identical. They have the same measurements except the rollers on the bearing that came with the install kit are a tad longer. I don't see why the bearing that came in the kit wouldn't work since width, height, and thickness are the same.
Even thought the rollers are a bit longer so you think it's okay to use the one from the kit or do you still recommend picking up one that exactly matches the original?
Here you can see where they are different.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 9, 2013, 9:29 AM
Post #98 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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As long as it has a matching race it should be fine, assuming it doesn't effect the pinion depth..
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Apr 9, 2013, 9:31 AM)
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 9, 2013, 10:40 AM
Post #99 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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It does have a matching race. When I compared the two, with their races on, they were exactly the same thickness. I'm positive it won't effect pinion depth.
When I called the dealership the guy gave me 4 different numbers, each one superseded the last. Also, I was going to purchase the old bearing this morning just to keep things the same but two different places couldn't cross reference the bearing. The bearing is a Timken so should've been an easy cross reference. I assume that GM went with a different bearing? They must've made that change the second my truck went off the assembly line. They probably did that knowing that one day they would confuse the heck out of someone and that someone was me. I had the same issues with that tranny. It was made right around the time where it might've had some updates or might not have. Oh well, good learning experience.
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MarineGrunt
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Apr 9, 2013, 10:57 AM
Post #100 of 143
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Re: 2003 Sierra differential
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Do you use red or blue Loctite on the ring gear bolts? Also, on the pinion shaft spline and on the splines on the yoke, I noticed some white hard stuff. I assume it was just dried up white lithium grease?
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