GT4 G80 axle issues...

[cburnscrx]

It's on a 1996 GMC Suburban 4x4. I just had the rear axle seals relplaced, and when he was filling the rear differential he said it looked bad and might need replaced. Lots of "material" in there. Here's my question. I trust the shop, so it's not likely they'd lie about it. Is it cost effective to have it repaired? What type of shop should do it, and what's the longevity when it's done? I'm running 265/60R18 if that matters

 

[df2x4]

To replace everything in there (carrier, gears, bearings etc.) it's going to cost you around $1500. However if you pick your parts correctly the truck will be more fun to drive than it ever has been before. Once it's rebuilt it'll live longer than you do, so long as you maintain it and change the gear oil once in a while. As far as what type of shop should do the work... one that you trust!

I'd stick to Eaton carriers. Either a Detroit Locker or TrueTrac, depending on how you want the truck to behave. Locker will be better off road, TrueTrac will be better on pavement.

 

[95Escahoe]

When I had an OBS Tahoe one of my axle tubes had a leak so got a used rear end from the junkyard GT4 G80 got it for $250 cleaned it up painted it, new brake lines, backing plates, axle seals & bearings drove it for 2 years till I sold it came with a warranty too, another route you could go


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[df2x4]

^Also definitely an option! I just have a bad habit of replacing broken things with better stuff.

 

[cburnscrx]

When I had an OBS Tahoe one of my axle tubes had a leak so got a used rear end from the junkyard GT4 G80 got it for $250 cleaned it up painted it, new brake lines, backing plates, axle seals & bearings drove it for 2 years till I sold it came with a warranty too, another route you could go


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Sounds like the route I should go, or at least explore. Anything I should look for to make sure it doesn't have the same issue as mine?

 

[cburnscrx]

To replace everything in there (carrier, gears, bearings etc.) it's going to cost you around $1500. However if you pick your parts correctly the truck will be more fun to drive than it ever has been before. Once it's rebuilt it'll live longer than you do, so long as you maintain it and change the gear oil once in a while. As far as what type of shop should do the work... one that you trust!

I'd stick to Eaton carriers. Either a Detroit Locker or TrueTrac, depending on how you want the truck to behave. Locker will be better off road, TrueTrac will be better on pavement.

Mines a glorified station wagon, so off roading isn't really an issue.

I really appreciate the advice, and if my budget were a little different I might go that route. I still might as it's a rust free version living in the Midwest (shipped from Vegas 5 years ago).

Sounds like TrueTrac would be my best bet.

 

[95Escahoe]

Sounds like the route I should go, or at least explore. Anything I should look for to make sure it doesn't have the same issue as mine?

Usually the junkyard inspects it to some degree to make sure it's good to go, I cleaned up the rear end & painted it, put on new backing plates, new brake lines, new pinion seal, did the axle seals and bearings looked it over filled it up and threw it on


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[Jorge6.5]

Sounds like the route I should go, or at least explore. Anything I should look for to make sure it doesn't have the same issue as mine?

Yeah. Look for a 14 bolt semi floater. If you get another 10 bolt it will probably blow again. Some say the 10 bolt is good enough but from experience they are junk

 

[cburnscrx]

Yeah. Look for a 14 bolt semi floater. If you get another 10 bolt it will probably blow again. Some say the 10 bolt is good enough but from experience they are junk

As someone who knows very little about rear axles, what vehicle am I looking for? I can count the bolts on the housing, but after that???

 

[Jorge6.5]

Some half tons have them and the 7200lb GVWR 2500 trucks have them