Replaced govlock with open diff

[HanibalTheCannibal]

This is a suburban issue, but there is more traffic and these are not suburban specific questions.

I bought a used 1999 k1500 suburban with 113K miles for $1k, guy said it needed work, obviously it groaned and roared from backend, I limped it home and I picked up a tahoe rear axle assembly used for 200 (thank you craigslist!) on my way home with the suburban. It fits and everything with sway bars too.

**Problem is my old groany roaring axle had g80 carrier, and this one is just an open diff.

The burban is a k1500 4wd, so should I be ok in the auto4wd mode like if I need to get through a little snow? Its virtually a 3wd?? LOL my wifes jeep grand cherokee has open diffs and full time 4wd and it crawls right out of whatever I get into.

Should I be concerned about having an open diff? in the back?
Thanks

[HanibalTheCannibal]

anyone?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

This is a suburban issue, but there is more traffic and these are not suburban specific questions.


Should I be concerned about having an open diff? in the back?
Thanks

the locking diff does give some added traction...the front wheels engaged with the vehicle in 3wd should give you what you need come winter...

If you plow,,,this might be of a concern....

[bigbadram51]

Well, in all reality you with the open diff in the back now, you have a two wheel drive, one drive wheel in the back and one drive wheel in the front (front diff is and open carrier too). The G80 is a weak link in the 10Bolt rear anyways. See how it goes, and if you actually need it, install something like a detroit Tru-Trac or Auburn LSD (I run the auburn) and really like it. Many vehicles run this way and do fine in the winter. All that weight on the front drive wheel is what gets you through stuff

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigbadram51

Well, in all reality you with the open diff in the back now, you have a two wheel drive, one drive wheel in the back and one drive wheel in the front (front diff is and open carrier too). The G80 is a weak link in the 10Bolt rear anyways. See how it goes, and if you actually need it, install something like a detroit Tru-Trac or Auburn LSD (I run the auburn) and really like it. Many vehicles run this way and do fine in the winter. All that weight on the front drive wheel is what gets you through stuff

when in auto and 4wd mode the front axles are locked together as one...try it some time...if not then the locking actuator motor in the front diff is defective/inop...

the encoder motor in the transfercase enables the front drive wheels to the rear wheels..

3wd should be not a problem...if you decide to replace the rear diff with a new one just be sure to properly break it in as driving the vehicle too hard will damage the gear teeth which has given this reliable rear diff a bad rap...

[bigbadram51]

Originally Posted by j cAT

when in auto and 4wd mode the front axles are locked together as one...try it some time...if not then the locking actuator motor in the front diff is defective/inop...

the encoder motor in the transfercase enables the front drive wheels to the rear wheels..

3wd should be not a problem...if you decide to replace the rear diff with a new one just be sure to properly break it in as driving the vehicle too hard will damage the gear teeth which has given this reliable rear diff a bad rap...

Hmmm...this is news to me. If this is the case what is GM using for a locker to do this, is it a mechanical locker like (Eaton) G80 in the rear. Its obviously not a air locker, or a LSD There has to be some type of carrier to do this. From my knowledge the front diff is just the ring and pinion. Where yes both hubs engage, but that is it. From what my understanding was that the auto-trac, was a computer selected 4wd mode that when it detected wheel speed of 10-15 percent faster than the rear the transfer case would (with clutch pads) engage the front driveshaft and put power to the front wheels, which one depended on traction.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigbadram51

Hmmm...this is news to me. If this is the case what is GM using for a locker to do this, is it a mechanical locker like (Eaton) G80 in the rear. Its obviously not a air locker, or a LSD There has to be some type of carrier to do this. From my knowledge the front diff is just the ring and pinion. Where yes both hubs engage, but that is it. From what my understanding was that the auto-trac, was a computer selected 4wd mode that when it detected wheel speed of 10-15 percent faster than the rear the transfer case would (with clutch pads) engage the front driveshaft and put power to the front wheels, which one depended on traction.

as stated the front diff axles are locked by the locking actuator motor...when ever a 4wd position is selected...with slippages or not...

the encoder motor mounted in the transfercase is what connects the front axles to the drive train.....

when slippages occur in auto 4wd the encoder connects the free rolling front axles to the drivetrain....now all wheels are locked together....

In 4wd the wheels are all locked together,,,this is why you must not operate the vehicle on dry solid pavement and all tires should be close to the same wear.....


the eaton locker is a mechanical lock ,,,with no slip this is a open diff...with a slipage the locker locks for a certain amount of rotations.....when it is very noticable this locking engagement this is the time to replace the diff fluid and remove the diff cover for inspection and cleaning...

when in AUTO 4WD if the speed sensors report to the PCM a slippage,,, the ENCODER MOTOR is commanded to engage the front axles to the drive train...then for a certain amount of rotations this automaticly dis-engages..by commanding the encoder motor ...