Chevy Silverado Rear Differential Problems: Symptoms and Fixes

A differential is a mechanical component in a truck that lets powered wheels turn at varied speeds. In front-wheel drive cars, the powered wheels are the front wheels. In the rear-wheel-drive, the powered wheels are the hind wheels and all the wheels in all-wheel-drive vehicles.

In four-wheel-drive vehicles such as your Chevrolet Silverado, powered wheels depend on whether you are driving on four-wheels or two-wheels.

The rear differential in your Chevrolet Silverado determines the turning speed and frequency of the axle and wheels. It compares the turning speed with the driving shaft to ensure the stability of your truck. For instance, if one of the hind wheels is rotating slower than the other due to the condition of the road, the rear differential keeps the other wheel spinning normally to keep your truck from skidding or jerking.

Like other mechanical components, the rear differential in your Silverado can develop problems.

Signs That Your Silverado Rear Differential Has Problems

The following are sure signs that the rear differential in your truck needs service or replacement.

1) Weird Noises and Vibrations

When your Chevy Silverado develops a problem with its rear differential, it starts producing weird noises. You will hear whirring, humming, whining, or howling sounds coming from the rear of your truck. These noises become louder and more audible when accelerating or turning.

When the axle has worn-out bearings, your rear differential will produce a whirring or whining sound. When it has worn-out rings and pinion gears, your rear differential will make a whining or howling noise. Ring and pinion gears fail when they are out of adjustment.

Additionally, too much clearance between the ring and pinion causes the differential to produce a clunking noise when you shift from park to drive.

Besides the weird noises, a faulty rear differential also causes uncomfortable vibrations. Whether the differential is bad or not, any unusual vibrations on your truck should deny you sleep until you determine and fix the problem. A bad rear differential causes your vehicle to vibrate from the hind wheels.

2) Drivability Problems

Is it becoming rather difficult to handle your truck? This happens mostly when making a turn. If you feel that you are losing control of your wheels, you should pull over and check the differential. You should also check other parts attached to your differential. If the propeller or the universal bearing goes bad, it becomes difficult to handle your wheels.

A bad rear differential can cause you unpleasant problems-even accidents. Observe the stability of your truck as you drive.

3) Leaks

Although it sounds minor, a leaking differential can cause serious problems. Check for leaking fluids around the rear differential gasket and the rear axle. Leaks can occur at the pinion gear seals, and as the leaking worsens, it allows dirt and oil to collect below the carrier or the pinion gear areas.

A leaking rear differential loses its lubrication rather fast, causing it to develop other issues, such as overheating. Your rear differential can also overheat if you use the wrong lubricant. Worn-out gears and backlash between the ring and pinion can cause your rear differential to overheat.

Lack of lubrication is the primary culprit of an overheating rear differential.

What Causes Chevy Silverado Rear Differential Problems?

The following are the primary reasons your Silverado rear differential has problems.

1) Lubrication Problems

Low or wrong oil could cause your rear differential to fail. Lack of lubrication is the number one cause of bad rear differential. Low oil levels could cause grinding at high speed or cause the carrier to break. Lack of oil also causes the differential in your truck to overheat and, in most cases, block your hind wheels.

Another oil-related cause of the rear differential problem is using the wrong oil. Using the wrong oil in your differential causes the lubricant to leak. You can notice a puddle of oil under your car or oil spots around the differential housing. You may also perceive a burning odor while driving. These are signs that you use the wrong oil in your rear differential.

Using the wrong oil is like driving with a differential without any lubricant. The excessive friction will lead the differential to fail. Examples of using the wrong oil include ATF or engine oil instead of differential oil. If you have doubts about the right oil for your Chevrolet Silverado rear differential, consult the nearest Chevy truck expert.

2) Careless Driving

Your rear differential can also fail if you push your truck too hard. Subjecting your Silverado to the torture of drag racing or rough off-road driving could kill its rear differential sooner than usual. Your Chevrolet Silverado has the strength to handle off-road driving and heavy towing. However, if you must take it to rough driving expeditions, installing an aftermarket rear differential is better. 

3) Normal Wear

Normal wear is the natural deterioration that slowly eats up mechanical components until you have to replace them. If the rear differential in your Silverado wears out to the point of failing, you may have to replace or rebuild it.

A complete rear differential replacement involves replacing the housing, gears, seals, and bearings. A certified Chevrolet mechanic can take an average of six hours to rebuild your rear differential. If you allow an amateur mechanic to work on your truck, the time can be doubled or more.

However, do not confuse normal wear with damage caused by reckless driving and lack of maintenance. The rear differential in your truck can last up to 200,000 miles. If your odometer has not clocked 150,000, your rear differential should not fail due to normal wear.

What to Do When Chevy Silverado Rear Differential Fails

What happens to your Silverado when it loses its rear differential depends on the extent of the damage. For instance, if you have broken teeth, your rear differential can cause a skip in power and vibrations. Additionally, the magnitude of these vibrations depends on the teeth your differential loses. Some can cause constant vibrations, and others only when making a turn.

If the differential has multiple broken teeth, you will experience a rattling sound that keeps increasing. You should stop driving and call a tow truck to ship your Silverado to a mechanic. The severity of losing multiple teeth increases relatively fast. You could lose control of your vehicle or find it hard to make turns. This can also cause the rear wheels to lock up and render your truck immobile.

This means that when your rear differential fails, even slightly, you must immediately consult a mechanic. Driving with this issue can escalate to a more expensive problem. A faulty rear differential can affect other parts of your truck, increasing the repair cost by the day.

Although these problems could be dangerous and scary, spotting them before they snowball into bigger issues is easy.

To prevent this from happening, take your vehicle to a professional mechanic right away for diagnosis and repair. A certified Chevy mechanic can fix your truck and have you going within hours.

Fixing Rear Differential Problems

If your Chevrolet Silverado rear differential develops a problem, it does not mean you must replace the entire unit immediately. Some issues only need repair.

For example, many rear differential problems result from a lack of lubrication, which can happen due to leaks in your system or using the wrong oil. If you spot these issues early enough, you can seal the leaking gaskets and top up your lubricant.

Bearings can also fail and require replacement. Replacing faulty bearings requires a certified mechanic and at least half a day to complete. Additionally, if your gears require replacement, you will need the same caliber of a mechanic and ample time to work on your truck.

The worst happens when your Silverado asks for an overhaul rear differential replacement.

Chevy Silverado Rear Differential Replacement Cost

The average cost for replacing the whole rear differential is between $1,000 and $4,000. For the Chevrolet Silverado, the price ranges from $900 to $2,500, depending on your truck's model year.

Luckily, if you spot your issues early enough, you can save a lot of money by repairing the differential instead of replacing it. Repairing your rear differential will cost you between $200 and $1,000. The final cost depends on the extent of the damage.

If your truck rides on a rebuilt rear differential, repairing it could cost more. At least $400, to be precise.