(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

GM / Chev 4 x 4 with auto 4wd warning

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Just got back from auto repair shop, he told me of a pickup in the shop 28,900 miles on it and front diff is out, totaly-shattered.

$1,800 plus at GM --rebuild shop $1,300.00 plus core charge, plus labor to install. They said if your 4 x 4 has auto 4 x 4, or you can manualy select hi-lo 4wd, Never use the auto as it slams in when the rear wheels are slipping. If your rear wheels have any higher rpms before the front wheels (now at a dead stop) engage, all he!! breaks loose.

Just a heads up if you or the wife ownes one.
 
I had a 2001 4x4 Blazer with the auto 4 wheel drive and I never had a problem. Used it quite a bit in the winter living in New England. Had a front diff seal leak on me, but that was all. Like all shift on the fly 4x4's, you should still probably stop before you shift it into any sort of 4x4. This is what I always did with that SUV and now with my Chevy Colorado just to be one the safe side.
 
I agree. Just to be on the safe side, I never shift in or out of 4wd unless the vehicle is standing still in neutral.
 
I prefer a shift lever I can reach down and pull back. I"m not a fan of all the new fancy stuff. Heck give me set of lock outs and a NP 205 transfer case and I"m a happy boy.
 
I am with ya there Dave, my F350 has lock out hubs and a shaft handle on the floor and that is the way I like it.
Jim
 
The wife had push-button 4x4 on her 1996 F-150. The electronic transfer blew up after a few years. Installed manual hubs on the wheels instead of replacing the electronics, never failed again.
 
If it slams into four wheel drive there is a problem that needs to be addressed. When mine goes into four wheel drive the only way you know it is that you have more traction.

I have been a service manager at a GM dealer and have yet to see one torn up from that.
 
I have an 08 Chevy 4x4 auto. with a lever on the floor. No problems with it at all. Fort Wayne Indiana assembly plant and we love it!! Our first new vehicle ever. Thanks to the guys at Fort Wayne for a good job!!!
 
Right on Dave, All my trucks have a stick, pull it back, and Im in 4wd, havent seen one yet that failed yet. However my 2000 ford f250 has the dial, I cant tell you how many times I got stuck with this truck, It would not engage the front axle. Finally when it needed ball joints the garage told me the vacume line was cracked, so it would not go into 4 wd.lol If only I knew about this I could have fixed it. I will take the stick any day over that other crap. j
 
That's the first one I've heard of.Worked at a GM dealership and have my own shop now.I really doubt the diff failed 'cause of auto 4WD.Lots and lots of those trucks out there and it doesn't seem to be an epidemic.

The most common components that I've repaired/replaced on auto 4WD's are t-case actuator motors,select switch panels and t-case clutches.
 
me too i will decide when i need 4 wheel drive not the truck, that being said back about 1981 i bought a real nice 77 f250 4x4 with the front and rear differentials broken, from a banker friend that delt with repo's for 500 bucks, the story was it was bought by a kid, [20 something] well it seems the kid favored the pro stock look, when i hauled the truck home it was wearing factory 16 inch rims and tires on the front and 31x 10.50's on white spoke rims on the rear,after he broke the truck he quit making the payments, back then it took around 1200 bucks but i fixed it, drove it awhile then sold it in 1984 when i bought my '83 1 ton chevy with a 12 foot flatbed with dump and full steel racks, i still have that truck and drive it
 
How does the auto-4WD work? Do both the transfer case and the front axle engage when needed or is one of the two engaged when you push the button and the other engage when slippage is sensed? Just curious.
 
The other repair shop in town will not work on them I have been told because he says if ya run them in auto they will go out and blame him for the problem.

The auto delership (again I'm told) says it is a very comon thing..I don't know, just repeating. Also I do not have that type of vehickle.

I do know that chev half ton pickups have issues with spider gears, I just bought a old one in that condition. Seems to be a weak spot. Hope I can get it replaced with in reason.

So everyone understands, I do not like Fords over Chev or any of that type of doings.
 
I think the transfer case uses clutches when in auto mode so the front axle can lock in then apply a steady pressure from the t-case. So my guess is a freak failure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top