Tootall

iTrader: (79)

my cousin has a 01-02 4x4 Tahoe with auto track and is having some issues with 4wd

I took it to a shop when I was in Houston last week and they told me
it was in my front diff. I have the auto 4wd on there where it will
lock the front hubs and give power when the TC kicks in, I get the
sound when it locks the hubs, so its somewhere inside the diff, from
what I can tell the hubs are built in the diff. It is more like a
growling sound, almost like I put some massive nobby tires on it or
something. But it only comes from one side. The 4wd still works, but
don't really want to use it much because I am afraid I can jack up my
t-case if it is having to work to hard with the noise.... oh well I
will figure something out.


I was thinking that it was the CVs but the guy that he took it to seems to think other wise, any one else had this?

Grumpy5.3

iTrader: (14)

hate to tell you this but you may need to rebuild your front diff, you might have some f-ed up bearings..... i THINK there is a bulletin about replacing ne of the case halfs, i will look and see

ryanyogi

So I am the cousin mentioned in the original post. Here is what I have concluded since original post.


So I got a 2003 Z71 Tahoe that has been giving me some trouble as of late. I have been thinking that the truck is driving like the front end is locked when it is in 2Hi. I confirmed that last night when I took it on some grass and stepped on the gas trying to fish tail, I felt the front end kick in a grab. So that has me curious...
The other issue is that when I to put it into 4hi or Auto 4wd, when I hit 20-30 mph I get a loud growling noise, almost like I was driving a monster truck on hwy. It is coming from the front drivers side part of the front diff for sure. The weird part is when I let off of the gas and coast the sound goes away, it is only made when I have the gas pedal down. I guess The 4wd still works, but don't really want to use it much because I am afraid I can jack up my t-case if it is having to work to hard with the noise. I took it to Skeeters Car Dr. Shop in Cypress and they told me that I needed to have the front diff rebuilt. But it appears to be working in the auto function when it really thinks it is in 2hi, it is silent then as well, only makes noise when I push the buttons to engage 4wd.

Any ideas? I would greatly appreciate it.

Tootall

iTrader: (79)

the older models were vacuum actuated . . . sounds like some module is locked, or not releasing.

ryanyogi

Why would the front end staying locked cause my tcase to engage when slippage occurs?

ryanyogi

I also think the front diff has an actuator switch. I have heard of people replacing them.

Tootall

iTrader: (79)

well I think that the front diff has spider gears, or some kind of slip and lock . . . I've yet to see one of the new ones apart.

Geneh

I know this post is ancient but do you remember what the solution was. I am having the same issue. Going to get it up on the lift tomorrow to see what I can find.