I appreciate the thought, but...the problem on my truck is fixed already, as stated a couple posts above.

not on a denali/escalade/SSS you can't. We have the all time awd single speed tcase with the viscous coupler that splits power front/rear. Taking the load off the front drive would most likely damage the viscous coupler. It seems you never get denalis/escalades/silveradoSS' in for drivetrain service at your dealership.

 

I am glad to see you fixed your truck. I was surfing last night and i did not see your last post. The auto track transfer case works like a full time 4WD.
The only difference is I have a 3 speed transfer case and a front axle disconnect which disconnects the power to the front axle when in 2WD.
A friend of mine has a H3 with full time 4WD and I recently removed his front drive shaft. His H3 never goes off road. With gas prices going up to $3.50 he wanted to gain some fuel economy. He has been driving his H3 with the drive shaft removed for over six months with no problem. I did re-install the drive shaft this weekend for a ski road trip. And he told me the full time 4WD worked like normal. He did tell me that he saw his fuel economy go up with the drive shaft removed. He wants me to remove it again!

 

I'm glad he's had good results. I'm still not sure it's a chance I'd be willing to take....for what, maybe 10 bucks a week in fuel savings at most? Compare that to the possible costs associated with removing the tcase, replacing the viscous coupler, rebuilding and installing. No thanks, not a chance worth justifying IMO.

 

I was searching front driveshaft when I came up with your thread. I have an 03 2500hd truck, while not awd it it 4wd and all the front end components are turning all the time. No hubs to unlock. Anyway I have been noticing a vibration coming from the front drivers side area Front driveshaft possibly at approx 58-63 mph. I had a little play in my drivers side unit bearing so I changed that to still have my vibration. I then did mor checking and noticed some play where the driveshaft and transfercase meet, and I was wondering if that front output bearing was wearing out. You have been there and done that so I guess I will do some ujoints soon. What brand ujoints did you use? The factory ones on my truck have no grease zerks. I am also searching if someone is making a locking hub conversion for these trucks. Any advice or help is welcome.

 

this is not a viscous coupling case. you drive around with the front shaft out of a viscous coupling case and you will ruin the coupler.