Silverado 4WD Front Differential Not Working

[eku93]

Hey guys, I am a little new to using forums and threads, but I do have a question about my 2001 5.3L Silverado LS Z71. My 4WD doesn't work. It has 4HI, 4Lo, and Auto 4WD. My transfer case is working fine. It will shift into 4Hi and 4Lo with ease and no problems there. My front drive shaft turns all the time, like it is supposed to and my front differential (Carrier) actuator moves in and out just as it is supposed, but 4WD still doesn't work. I have tried everything I know of, and still nothing. I haven't torn down one of these type diff. before and another question was, "Is there a shear pin of any sort in there?". Any and all help would be appreciated.

[idmetro]

The first thought that comes to mind is do you have manual hubs? If they are not engaged you will not get any 4WD action. If you have automatic hubs then I'd check to make sure they are working. If you had differential issues I would expect nasty noises to be coming from your front.....

[777stickman]

Welcome to the forum.

Question for you---What's happening that makes you sure that your truck is not in 4WD?????

[skipr]

Originally Posted by idmetro

The first thought that comes to mind is do you have manual hubs? If they are not engaged you will not get any 4WD action. If you have automatic hubs then I'd check to make sure they are working. If you had differential issues I would expect nasty noises to be coming from your front.....

Whats "idmetro" mean?

[eku93]

Originally Posted by idmetro

The first thought that comes to mind is do you have manual hubs? If they are not engaged you will not get any 4WD action. If you have automatic hubs then I'd check to make sure they are working. If you had differential issues I would expect nasty noises to be coming from your front.....

My entire system is automatic. The only thing I thought that could possibly be wrong in the differential, is maybe a Pin sheared of some sort. Not sure.
My wife always like to run it in Auto 4WD when it is raining bad and of course in snow. Maybe she wore it out.......

[eku93]

Originally Posted by 777stickman

Welcome to the forum.

Question for you---What's happening that makes you sure that your truck is not in 4WD?????

Thanks for the welcome!!

When I put it in 4WD and try climbing it or just giving it a little extra fuel in the dirt or grass, the rear wheels are the only thing turning. The actuator for the transfer case is working fine too. It will still go into Lo 4WD. The first time I noticed it was when I was pulling the boat out of the lake in Sept. The front tires was not pulling at all, but luckily the limited slip kicked in for me. Thanks

[jumpingjack66]

I think you may be mystaken or atleast inexperienced in what these new body style trucks feel like when in for wheel drive. Dont compare it to a solid front axil 4 by like a old full size bronko or k-5 blazer. your front axil is an ifs =independent front axil. It does not feel or drive like the old trucks. Nor does it pull like an older 4 by either. It is a limited slip just like your rear axil and there for will likely only pull on one side when confronted with slippery roads. But if your wife has been running the four wheel drive on wet roads and likely in auto four whell then yes you may have burned the clutches up in your transfer case . It states in owners manuals for the automaticks that using the auto function excessivly will shorten the life of the tranfer case clutches. Tell your wife to stop using it unles your on ice or snow and put some decent tires on the truck so she wont feel the need to run it like that on wet roads...jj

[eku93]

Originally Posted by jumpingjack66

I think you may be mystaken or atleast inexperienced in what these new body style trucks feel like when in for wheel drive. Dont compare it to a solid front axil 4 by like a old full size bronko or k-5 blazer. your front axil is an ifs =independent front axil. It does not feel or drive like the old trucks. Nor does it pull like an older 4 by either. It is a limited slip just like your rear axil and there for will likely only pull on one side when confronted with slippery roads. But if your wife has been running the four wheel drive on wet roads and likely in auto four whell then yes you may have burned the clutches up in your transfer case . It states in owners manuals for the automaticks that using the auto function excessivly will shorten the life of the tranfer case clutches. Tell your wife to stop using it unles your on ice or snow and put some decent tires on the truck so she wont feel the need to run it like that on wet roads...jj

I do completely understand how the new ones work, but then you put the truck in 4WD and there is no action in the front wheels at all, there is definitely something wrong. It has been tried in the mud, grass, gravel, etc. in 4 Hi, 4 Lo, and Auto. STILL NOTHING!!!! No action from the front wheels. I have actually had the truck on 4 jack stands, and the front tires will not turn. All the actuators are working properly. I have taken them out and confirmed their operation. I have also put in new front differential axle seals in the past. The front diff. still worked ok after that point. The prob. still leans to something wrong in the front diff. itself. Also to the other point, my wife travels short distances, but at the time of her running it in Auto, was directly after a bad accident we were in on wet roads, she was scared and the tires still had over 1/4 life left in them. I told here to do what made her feel safe. No need to change the at that point, but I DID put new Michelins on the truck directly. I still feel there is something wrong with the spring loaded pin that the front actuator on the diff. pushes in or there is a sheared pin inside on a shaft with one of the gears.

[777stickman]

Looking in my '98 C/K factory manual, there is an internal shifting fork!! Your '01 may be different?? Sounds like you're going to have to get inside it to find out.........Steve

[jumpingjack66]

Originally Posted by eku93

I do completely understand how the new ones work, but then you put the truck in 4WD and there is no action in the front wheels at all, there is definitely something wrong. It has been tried in the mud, grass, gravel, etc. in 4 Hi, 4 Lo, and Auto. STILL NOTHING!!!! No action from the front wheels. I have actually had the truck on 4 jack stands, and the front tires will not turn. All the actuators are working properly. I have taken them out and confirmed their
operation. I have also put in new front differential axle seals in the past. The front diff. still worked ok after that point. The prob. still leans to something wrong in the front diff. itself. Also to the other point, my wife travels short distances, but at the time of her running it in Auto, was directly after a bad accident we were in on wet roads, she was scared and the tires still had over 1/4 life left in them. I told here to do what made her feel safe. No need to change the at that point, but I DID put new Michelins on the truck directly. I still feel there is something wrong with the spring loaded pin that the front actuator on the diff. pushes in or there is a sheared pin inside on a shaft with one of the gears.

Ok ,well good to here you were ok after the accident and i hope your wife feels better about driving soon. I might sudjest you check a hains manual or something to see if there is a way to check the clutches in your transfer case. I have one but not for your truck. have you dropped the oil out of your transfer case lately and smelled it? i assume its tranny fluid like mine is and if you smell rotten eggs or discoloration is noticed(Should be translucent red) then i would suspect burnt clutches. From what i have heard those clutches are fragile ware wise and take a redicoulesly short amount of time to render them useless and if i understand it correctly(somebody jump in here if i am wrong) if those clutches are gone then you will have no movement at all from the front axil...just my . It sounds like you have checked most everything else short of complete disassembly.So it a small thing to check...JJ

[jumpingjack66]

Originally Posted by jumpingjack66

Ok ,well good to here you were ok after the accident and i hope your wife feels better about driving soon. I might sudjest you check a hains manual or something to see if there is a way to check the clutches in your transfer case. I have one but not for your truck. have you dropped the oil out of your transfer case lately and smelled it? i assume its tranny fluid like mine is and if you smell rotten eggs or discoloration is noticed(Should be translucent red) then i would suspect burnt clutches. From what i have heard those clutches are fragile ware wise and take a redicoulesly short amount of time to render them useless and if i understand it correctly(somebody jump in here if i am wrong) if those clutches are gone then you will have no movement at all from the front axil...just my . It sounds like you have checked most everything else short of complete disassembly.So it a small thing to check...JJ

actuaaly i just notice the year of your truck. so i do have a manual and will do some reserch tommorow to see if i can find any hints...jj

[skipr]

I have a full factory service manual for that year. I will check as well. Who said the front diff doesn't act like the old straight axles? When I engage 4WD on my 2005, it definatley locks. If I try to turn while on asphalt the front end with bind and hop because the outboard wheel will try to spin faster than the inboard. That is definatley a true locked axle.Not a limited slip.

[silverado122775]

YOu may have a problem with the automatic locking hubs.

[jumpingjack66]

Originally Posted by skipr

I have a full factory service manual for that year. I will check as well. Who said the front diff doesn't act like the old straight axles? When I engage 4WD on my 2005, it definatley locks. If I try to turn while on asphalt the front end with bind and hop because the outboard wheel will try to spin faster than the inboard. That is definatley a true locked axle.Not a limited slip.

If your ifs frony axil was a locked axil it would break half shafts. NO such thing as a locking ifs axil until they start making stronger half shafts. dont believe me? ckeck Petersons four wheeling magazine over the last 5 months they have been writing a ongoing article about trying to attempt a true locker. Result it didnt work...jj

[eku93]

Originally Posted by jumpingjack66

actuaaly i just notice the year of your truck. so i do have a manual and will do some reserch tommorow to see if i can find any hints...jj

Any and all help would be much appreciated!

Thanks a bunch