- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
Took the Voy into the city a little while back, and on the way home, started hearing a noise similar to when one has air in their heater core (best way I could describe it). However, the noise was from the *left* front wheel area (and only happened 'in motion'.
Had to drive it about 60 miles home at highway speeds, noise all the way. But got it home without incident, and parked it.
Put it in the garage & started taking things apart. By this time, I'm suspecting wheel bearing, perhaps?
Events:
Left wheel off ground, rotate wheel. No noise.
Removed wheel, checked brake / rotor. Fine.
Removed caliper / rotor / hub. Saw this hub was practically new (maybe 10K miles on it). No noise, spun fine.
Checked front diff fluid level, using the old 'ziptie as dipstick' method. *Dry as a bone*.
Removed drain plug for diff. About six (!) drops came out - slowly. At this point, I know my 'oil leak' I'd been ignoring forever... was gear oil, from the diff. Suspect the Envoy is going to get a 4WD > 2WD conversion (I never use 4WD).
Turn the driver side CV axle - no noise, binding (and boots were fine).
Removed the axle and examined it and the innards of the diff on the driver's side...
- No real scoring on the CV axle (the pics will show a dark band toward the edge, which has just a small ridge I can feel
- Diff outer seal originally looked intact, but as I look at the higher resolution pics on the laptop, I see it's compromised at the top. From what I can tell, the fluid didn't leak out from there (at least, on an ongoing basis)
- Outer bearing race looked / felt ok (no scoring, binding, bearing race and bearings rotated freely. However, I did detect about 1/8" to 1/4" of play inward / outward. *No unusual noise*.
Pics are below. I see three options...
- Reattach CV axle (after replacing seal), fill with fluid, and 'send it', until spring. I was planning on using the Envoy a bit, but don't have to. However, when I was going to use it was going to be when the roads were snowy, etc.
No further noise = good to go until warmer weather and I can rebuild (or replace) front diff.
- Remove other CV axle and front driveshaft, and implement 'Gatorade cap fix' on both diff openings (again, until spring... or maybe forever?)
- Bite the bullet (that almost hit me?), and rip out the front diff / rebuild (or replace) now, along with at least one new CV axle.
I don't like this option because it kills my winter plans for the Sierra, but I'd do it if it's the best option (prevent more parts from failing, etc.) I do know this is a LOT of work (and I have the V8, so room is always at a premium. Again... if I use 4WD more than 2 days a year, that's a lot. And I know I'll need to service the front disconnect, etc., etc.
And without further ado... pics for review... The CV axle appears OEM, based on the yellow paint on the inner shaft side... (360" view)
And the diff opening - driver's side...
Had to drive it about 60 miles home at highway speeds, noise all the way. But got it home without incident, and parked it.
Put it in the garage & started taking things apart. By this time, I'm suspecting wheel bearing, perhaps?
Events:
Left wheel off ground, rotate wheel. No noise.
Removed wheel, checked brake / rotor. Fine.
Removed caliper / rotor / hub. Saw this hub was practically new (maybe 10K miles on it). No noise, spun fine.
Checked front diff fluid level, using the old 'ziptie as dipstick' method. *Dry as a bone*.
Removed drain plug for diff. About six (!) drops came out - slowly. At this point, I know my 'oil leak' I'd been ignoring forever... was gear oil, from the diff. Suspect the Envoy is going to get a 4WD > 2WD conversion (I never use 4WD).
Turn the driver side CV axle - no noise, binding (and boots were fine).
Removed the axle and examined it and the innards of the diff on the driver's side...
- No real scoring on the CV axle (the pics will show a dark band toward the edge, which has just a small ridge I can feel
- Diff outer seal originally looked intact, but as I look at the higher resolution pics on the laptop, I see it's compromised at the top. From what I can tell, the fluid didn't leak out from there (at least, on an ongoing basis)
- Outer bearing race looked / felt ok (no scoring, binding, bearing race and bearings rotated freely. However, I did detect about 1/8" to 1/4" of play inward / outward. *No unusual noise*.
Pics are below. I see three options...
- Reattach CV axle (after replacing seal), fill with fluid, and 'send it', until spring. I was planning on using the Envoy a bit, but don't have to. However, when I was going to use it was going to be when the roads were snowy, etc.
No further noise = good to go until warmer weather and I can rebuild (or replace) front diff.
- Remove other CV axle and front driveshaft, and implement 'Gatorade cap fix' on both diff openings (again, until spring... or maybe forever?)
- Bite the bullet (that almost hit me?), and rip out the front diff / rebuild (or replace) now, along with at least one new CV axle.
I don't like this option because it kills my winter plans for the Sierra, but I'd do it if it's the best option (prevent more parts from failing, etc.) I do know this is a LOT of work (and I have the V8, so room is always at a premium. Again... if I use 4WD more than 2 days a year, that's a lot. And I know I'll need to service the front disconnect, etc., etc.
And without further ado... pics for review... The CV axle appears OEM, based on the yellow paint on the inner shaft side... (360" view)
And the diff opening - driver's side...