Cast Iron Differential - Need Help

[Bigunit]

If you don't already have one, this would be the time to install a front locker.

 

[Zach]

Glad to hear they finally got it straightened out

 

[reaper]

I think they are finally straight. say itll cost me between $400-600 for the upgrade. and it sounds like they have parts coming. Lets pray that there isnt any more issues....

That is a great price to upgrade that sucker!!! Be sure to add the locker while you're at it. Yes, you NEED the locker --especially since it will be a cheap add on now, versus an expensive add-on later. You may need to pick your own switch and tell them where to install the switch, since it won't go into your OEM wiring. I also have mine wired so I can engage the front locker anytime, not just 4 low. That is pretty handy.

 

[H32NV]

I didnt want the locker actually, Id rather stay with the torsen up front for snow driving. I get into plenty of trouble as it is with that rig, having the lift, rear locker, and 35's. I have a 10k recovery winch for when sh*t gets real-er than what it already can handle...

As far as I know, and correct me if I'm wrong because I might be, when you go to the locker in the front, you lose the limited slip. This is why I stayed with the limited slip, as it is much better in snow, and I am an avid snowboarder and back country skier and find myself on snowy and icy roads often in the winter.

 

[H32NV]

YEEAAA!! :thumbs: Now to go pick up a set of these:

THANK YOU EVERYONE INVOLVED!!!! BEERS TO ALL NEXT TIME WE MEET! (most likely Moab in Oct.)

 

[Zach]

Looks good installed. Glad you finally got it all taken care of :thumbs:

 

[bebe]

As far as I know, and correct me if I'm wrong because I might be, when you go to the locker in the front, you lose the limited slip. This is why I stayed with the limited slip, as it is much better in snow, and I am an avid snowboarder and back country skier and find myself on snowy and icy roads often in the winter.

Nope, that's beauty of the selectable locker it's either on or off. We don't have limited slip now - it's open.

We do have traction control and stabilitrac.

 

[H32NV]

so you mean that the non-locking front diff is open and not a limited slip??

 

[06 H3]

Probably the traction control made it look like a limited slip

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[bebe]

so you mean that the non-locking front diff is open and not a limited slip??

Correct - Open.

 

[f5moab]

Back in 2005, when I was in a GM Brand Quality Engineering meeting I submitted a suggestion to add the cast iron front diff to all adventure series (off-road package) vehciles. GM's Brand Quality Axle engineer, explained that there was an $85.00 difference between the aluminum and the cast iron diff. (This was a discussion that I brought up due to having some people I know blowing diffs in Utah...I won't mention who!:giggle At that time, 85 bucks was considered too much to add to the cost of the vehicle...remember, GM was broke. I was told that the gears in future models would be hardened to a new spec to stop the gear failure due to weak gears, but this still left the stretching case a problem.

Warranty figures when I left GM in 2008 indicated there were (approx.) 1100 front diffs were repaired or replaced and this was based on 2006-2008 vehicle warranty coverage repair/replacement. Understand that number has gone up since I left and that last warranty report would have been run the first week in October, since I retired on Oct 31.

And this warranty number included the same vehicle having two diffs fail. And in most cases, the first repair was internal gears, second replacement was complete carrier assembly. My thoughts were that the case was damaged due to stress in the first scenario, but the tech could not identify any problems with the case (if they even tried to identify a problem); thus, down the road the case itself failed and the second repair required a complete carrier assembly (case) replacement.

I know a few people who had the internal gears replaced during a first repair, and the entire assembly replaced a few thousand miles later. However, GM's warranty procedures were to replace the broken items only. (NOTE: This was no different than Ford, Chrysler, BMW or Toyota, and probaby true for all other manufactures but cannot speak for them.)

 

[4speedfunk]

im goin for the CI

Tired of them breaking.

Don't get too confident. Its an upgrade but, still not where it should be. Soft pedal...no spin...winch early = The CI should last you quite a while.

 

[rascole]

So, I have read several posts on several threads and I am dead tired. I live in Los Angeles area, where can I buy the CI diff or who has the exact part numbers? My 06 is getting the transfer case serviced tomorrow and the diffs are next.

 

[alrock]

PM Zach as he may be able to help you. Are you looking for just the case or the whole assembly with the front locker included?

 

[08H3]

So, I have read several posts on several threads and I am dead tired. I live in Los Angeles area, where can I buy the CI diff or who has the exact part numbers? My 06 is getting the transfer case serviced tomorrow and the diffs are next.

I stumbled across my paperwork the other day. At the very least, I will get you a P/N if someone doesn't beat me to it.

EDIT: Found my paperwork, however I do not have a P/N. Since it was a unique situation, the invoice only sayss "SPO: DIFF CASE" with no P/N. Sorry.

 

[06 H3]

So, I have read several posts on several threads and I am dead tired. I live in Los Angeles area, where can I buy the CI diff or who has the exact part numbers? My 06 is getting the transfer case serviced tomorrow and the diffs are next.

Why are you dead tired? You blow these things up often?