Those small rod like things sound suspiciously like rollers from a needle bearing... If the output shaft support bearing was down a few rollers, that would allow the shaft to be able to drop and open up a leak... That does not sound good!

Pictures will confirm what those things are. If there is play in the output shaft, I would say the bearing is bad... Also, if you have access to a vernier caliper, measurements from the output shaft to the bottom of the seal bore and from the output shaft to the top compared with each other would also confirm whether the bearing is bad.

 

I'm fighting a small battle here, I finally found a seal today and fubard it putting in the shaft I think I am just going to have to replace the diff since I already have half of it apart. I also found metal shavings in the front diff so now I need to go to the jy and hope I find a diff. It's my understanding that all these will work:

OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1996 Front Axle, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
CHEVY S10 BLAZER & GMC S15 JIMMY 1995 Front Axle, AWD, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
CHEVY S10 BLAZER & GMC S15 JIMMY 1996 Front Axle, AWD, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1991 1992 1993 1994 Front Axle, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
GMC SAFARI (GMC) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Front Axle, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
CHEVY ASTRO VAN 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Front Axle, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
So now I am going to do some reading to see how hard it is to replace it

 

Just in case anyone is interested I replaced the seal and so far I haven't smelled any burning oil yet. I was not able to locate a front diff at any of the yards so I just put it back together and am hoping for the best. The overall removal process was easy, I didn't need any special tools except for the 36mm socket and the breaker bar which I was able to borrow. If in fact the diff decides to go I know I have the ability to replace it. My fingers are crossed that it is fixed, to be continued, maybe.
Thanks

 

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the follow up.

 

Sure as heck looks like a crack to me. I would pay close attention to it. No sense in replacing the seal and hoping it's not cracked because you don't want to deal with it if it is.

 

The whole thing looks like that, very bad casting. Well it's still leaking so now to find a front diff, JY doesn't have one right now

 

Update:
I have since bought me an 04 Silverado but still have the Bravada. I went to the JY today and found 2 Jimmy's, one is a 95 and the other is a 97. Both have the correct gearing GT4 now here is the question before I pull the part. Does it matter if the donor diff comes from an AWD or a 4X4? I don't think it does but I have to be sure.
Thanks

 

It does. The passenger side axle prop shaft on an AWD is a single piece shaft and there is no front axle engagement mechanism.

You could take the center section of the diff and swap the passenger side axle tube and prop shaft from your axle with relative ease though. The center sections are the same.

 

Thanks for your help, I think I can manage the swap.