Front Diff Question - Is Bravada OK to use??

A

AbesTy

New member
Hey guys,

I had to replace my front diff and got one from a junk yard. We hand picked one in good shape and it was from a newer Olds Bravada. I saw a post on here that said don't use a Bravada front diff cause it is a 3.73. Going down the road...it is smooth...anything over 1/2 throttle shakes like a bitch...

Is the only way to tell for sure to rip it back out and check the gears??
 
L

Lynn D. Brown

New member
Bravada Front diff

Bravada Front diff

Abe,

I understand that U R supposed to keep the ratios Front & Rear the same (3.42 for the SyTy's) . Not sure what the consequences R, but maybe that's what U R seeing. There R some 3.42 Front Diffs out there from S-10/S-15 Blazers. I was about to buy one, but may not need to. They R also switchable - the Pass side axle is different - so that might be something for a Sy/Ty'er to try.
 
Tydriver

Tydriver

TurboLS6 Powa'
:eek:

Front gears are different than REAR GEARS ??? You better do one of two things:

1. go back to the scrap yard and get a transfer case*
2. change/verify the gears are 3.42's before you drive it anymore.

This is elementary dude, you gotta stop and think before doing something like this, it basically means the internals are spinning faster in the front than they are in the rear, different driveshaft speeds etc.. EGADS, PLEASE verify the gear ratios before going ANYWHERE else.



* you Transfer case wont last long when it has to send different prop speeds to the front and rear, possibly damaged it already.
 
myclone

myclone

Donating Member
Tydriver said:
:eek:

Front gears are different than REAR GEARS ??? You better do one of two things:

1. go back to the scrap yard and get a transfer case*
2. change/verify the gears are 3.42's before you drive it anymore.

This is elementary dude, you gotta stop and think before doing something like this, it basically means the internals are spinning faster in the front than they are in the rear, different driveshaft speeds etc.. EGADS, PLEASE verify the gear ratios before going ANYWHERE else.



* you Transfer case wont last long when it has to send different prop speeds to the front and rear, possibly damaged it already.
Click to expand...

Ditto on the above... Driving with 3:73s in the front diff and 3:42s in the rear will not only make the truck steer like its got a mind of its own but does the transfer case about as good as draining the fluid and installing sand in its place. Seriously, make absolutely SURE you have the right gear ratio in the front.

Either split the case and check em (its stamped on the ring gear) or go back to the salvage yard and get the build #s off the sticker in the glove box. Then run the numbers through here or a dealer to see what ratio that bravada was equiped with.

Oh yeah.. Id yank the front drive shaft if you HAVE to drive your truck. At least if you have the wrong gears up front it wont hurt anything (if the xfer case isnt hurt already) with the front drive shaft out.
 
A

AbesTy

New member
Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses...

I know that I have to keep the same gears front and back...The guy I had get (and install) the front diff is one of the owners of the salvage yard and was "sure" that the Bravada, among the other GM front diff candidates had the 3.42. I also have read on this site that Bravada was OK. Then I saw someone post that maybe Bravada is not OK...Obviously that got my attention...and that's why I'm asking now...

Anyway...sounds like I might have a problem...my truck has got a boatload of miles, so the transfer case probably has seen better days...I just had the front driveshaft converted from the crappy stock setup, so I hope it is OK. I'll try to track down the serial numbers to find out for sure. Just in-case anyone wants to know...there is hardly any vibration at light throttle and highway cruising speed...just under med/hard acceleration! Then it rattles like a bitch. Make sense to you guys?....
As they say...don't try this at home!
 
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