1998 Silverado 4wd Issues

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canuckz71

canuckz71

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Been a loooooong time since I've been on here. Have had a few trucks since my chevy but have kept it this whole time with a whopping 95,*** miles.

Having issues with my 4wd lately (push button shift).

When i push 4hi i can hear an actuator moving and the 4hi light comes on but the tires don't spin. Can hear the actuator move again when shifting back to 2wd.

When i put it into 4lo i can feel the diff switching to the low range but again tires don't spin.

When in 4hi and i spin the tires on ice i can hear something spinning in the front end....haven't had another person around to look and see if the front d-shaft is spinning but i am assuming it is.

I had 4wd a few weeks ago and now nothing. 4wd actuator maybe? Other thoughts?
 
tinfoil_hat

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You are probably hearing the encoder motor on the t-case, not the actuator. Look for a blown 4wd fuse. I forget which number it is in the block but I believe it is 20amp. If the fuse is blown and it just blows again next time you hit the switch it is your actuator. You can also test the actuator very easily. Unplug it, spin it out with a big crescent wrench, turn the key on, plug the actuator back in and hit the button. You should see it extend.
 
canuckz71

canuckz71

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Took a pry bar to the passenger side axle and it could move back and forth ~3/4" so i took it out.

Found the snap ring was broken. Question is....my grandpa has been driving the truck and i noticed he had it in 4wd the whole time. Could this cause any problems? I only found 2/3 of the snap ring....not sure what happened to the other 1/3
 
tinfoil_hat

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You should never use 4x4 on dry pavement or other hard surfaces. I think you should pull the diff cover and have a look inside.
 
canuckz71

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How tight should the axle shaft be to the bearing and seal? The shaft doesn't really look worn but just one hit from a hammer and it came out of the housing...

Could be worn shaft?
 
canuckz71

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tinfoil_hat said:
You should never use 4x4 on dry pavement or other hard surfaces. I think you should pull the diff cover and have a look inside.
Click to expand...


He would have been driving it on snow/gravel roads only going about 30mph max. He just uses the truck to haul water
 
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burnhedge

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canuckz71 said:
How tight should the axle shaft be to the bearing and seal? The shaft doesn't really look worn but just one hit from a hammer and it came out of the housing...

Could be worn shaft?
Click to expand...
Did this happen after you put in the new snap ring? If so, I'd say something isn't right. I don't think their's should be any play if the snap ring is installed correctly.

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if the passenger axle was pulled, there is a good chance the washer slipped down and is not allowing the 4wd to engage. i just had this on my 94. had a place replace the axle seals and after that it wouldnt engage. pulled the front diff completely out and seperated the housing on the passenger side, replaced the washer and put it all back together. 4wd works now. the axle shaft has a tip that rides in the middle of the washer. I got my washer out of a junkyard since it's s dealer item only. the place that did the seals pressed the axle shaft in so it locked in place which is why the section of the washer is missing.

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rdimamb

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canuckz71 said:
Been a loooooong time since I've been on here. Have had a few trucks since my chevy but have kept it this whole time with a whopping 95,*** miles.

Having issues with my 4wd lately (push button shift).

When i push 4hi i can hear an actuator moving and the 4hi light comes on but the tires don't spin. Can hear the actuator move again when shifting back to 2wd.

When i put it into 4lo i can feel the diff switching to the low range but again tires don't spin.

When in 4hi and i spin the tires on ice i can hear something spinning in the front end....haven't had another person around to look and see if the front d-shaft is spinning but i am assuming it is.

I had 4wd a few weeks ago and now nothing. 4wd actuator maybe? Other thoughts?
Click to expand...


Just for giggles, have you tried to disconnect the battery off for about half an hour or so and then reconnect it? My 98 truck had similar issue and once I disconnected and reconnected the battery it all worked fine. Just another thought.
 
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