Hey all,

So over the last few weeks I have been fixing my dads 98 blazer (LS 4x4) and recently did the front axle pinion seals as they were leaking. His front diff had basically no fluid in it so I filled it up.

Yesterday I changed out his wheel bearings and upon a road test heard a noise that after some testing came to the conclusion that because of the lack of fluid he smoked his front diff. His wheel bearings were so bad it muffled out the sound of the front diff...

I checked the fluid that would have been just a few weeks old or so new and there is a good amount of silver in it.

He drives it 6 miles round trip to work and thats it and doubtful he will need the 4x4 ever but obviously its not the best to be driving it as is.

So this is where I need a bit of help. In the family we have a donor 95 blazer 4x4. How would I go about seeing if the front diff would swap right out to the 98? I know the 95s were finicky but im looking for any help here.

Thanks,

 

have you checked to see if the diff is partially engaged? that could make similar noise

 

Not sure to be honest. Im a computer monkey by trade and a weekend mechanic that knows enough to get me in trouble. I have a mechanic friend that helps out when I get to deep and he is the one that diagnosed it. Ill have to check with him to see why he thinks its smoked.

 

The problem you'll have is that the 95-97 uses a different CV axle than the 98-05. You can do the swap if they have the same gears, but you would have to change to the older style CV axles. Personally I'd go find a front diff from a wrecker or pick-n-pull place that is from a 98 or newer truck.

In replacing the diff you need to make sure it has the same gears as your rear axle. Check the glove box RPO sticker, and look for the codes GU6 or GT4 (the most likely 2 options). If it has the GU6 code then you have 3.42 gears, and you need to find a donor with the same gear set. If it's the GT4 RPO then you have 3.73 gears and you need to find a donor with the same.