2000 silverado front end binding

[Thunderbolt]

I am still working on this POS. I replaced a bad front differential in this Chevy 1500 because it was banging and grinding. I put a used one in and it was making noise and binding even in snow. They gave me another one and it is no different. The bind is so bad that from a dead stop with any turning of the wheel it feels like something is going to break. If I let of the gas while going slow with the wheel turned the truck will stop as if the brakes are on. If i shift to 2 hi without touching the gas it will immediately start rolling. This isn't the normal bind of a 4wd, it is severe. The salvage yard insists it is the correct gear ratio, but I am wondering, although the odds of them being wrong twice isn't likely. Any ideas ?

[Thunderbolt]

Canadianxplorer wrote:
Hey guys,

Not to ignore the obvious, what about the tires? Are they all the same level of wear and brand? I know the OP said it was ok while driving straight but sometimes tires that are badly worn vs newer can cause some strange stuff.

I was wondering the same thing. I am going to measure the circumference of the tires.

[Thunderbolt]

I know what you are saying, but it does not bind in 2wd. I too am thinking it has to be in the transfer case. I never that of seeing if it moved in 2wd without the rear drive shaft. Everything locks up electrically, but all appears to be working.

[enblethen]

Me Again:
That is why I have been asking how the front end is locked up.
Here is something that popped into my head. The encoder that operates the transfer case could have jumped a function.
encoder

[Me_Again]

Thunderbolt wrote:
So I pulled the rear drive shaft today and drove with just the front differential and had no binding and less noise. I then pulled the rear differential cover and everything looked good. Nothing in the fluid, gears wearing good and everything intact on the G80. Refilled the differential, put the drive shaft back in and it still binds. I am starting to think it has to be the transfer case. I am throwing in the towel and it is going in to a shop.

Well you missed one test while you had the rear drive line out!!! You should have put it in 2 wheel drive and checked to see if it moved. Sounds like it is always in 4 wheel drive!!!!!!!!!!!

Transfer case issue! Is this a manual shift transfer case or an electric one. Chris

[Canadianxplorer]

Hey guys,

Not to ignore the obvious, what about the tires? Are they all the same level of wear and brand? I know the OP said it was ok while driving straight but sometimes tires that are badly worn vs newer can cause some strange stuff.

[Thunderbolt]

So I pulled the rear drive shaft today and drove with just the front differential and had no binding and less noise. I then pulled the rear differential cover and everything looked good. Nothing in the fluid, gears wearing good and everything intact on the G80. Refilled the differential, put the drive shaft back in and it still binds. I am starting to think it has to be the transfer case. I am throwing in the towel and it is going in to a shop.

[Ozlander]

On my Yukon XL, the back diffy is a locker and the front is a limited slip.
I think the limited slip is supposed to have an additive in the lube.
Sounds like it's not slipping.

[dodge_guy]

Have you checked to verify the ratio in the rear axle?

Never mind! I forgot you said it doesn't do it going straight!

[enblethen]

How is the front end engaged? is it electrically operated or ??.
It must have some mechanism other then centrifugal? My big Suzuki use a small vacuum line that connects to front differential.
What happens when you lift the front end off the ground and spin tires by hand?

[Thunderbolt]

enblethen wrote:
Have you looked at the axle universals and CV joints?

U-joints are new. CV joints seem ok and make no noise.

[enblethen]

Have you looked at the axle universals and CV joints?

[Thunderbolt]

enblethen wrote:
And along with "All I could afford', it is not in the transfer case.
Still sounds like in the front axle assembly.
Does it matter which direction you turn?

Turning does not matter. I am stumped. I thought maybe carrier bearing and the carrier is binding under a load, but I would think it would make noise in 2wd since the carrier is turning even in 2wd with auto-trak trucks. We are going to pay someone to look at it. I am tired of it and I honestly am lost. I can usually figure things out, but I must admit defeat on this one.

[enblethen]

And along with "All I could afford', it is not in the transfer case.
Still sounds like in the front axle assembly.
Does it matter which direction you turn?

[All_I_could_aff]

If it doesn't bind going straight in 4WD on dry pavement, you can safely assume the two axles have the same ratio