1998 Tahoe 2 Dr 4x4 Reverse Under Load Seems To Lock

rushdispatch · October 18, 2010

I recently bought a 1998 Tahoe 4x4 2dr.

When i test the 4 electric buttons on the dash, they engage the 4x4 perfectly eventhough the lights do not stay lit on the buttons. Not an issue but laying out my scenario so you have all of the details.

Next, when i start the truck in the morning and run under normal street conditions, the 2 hi light is on and then after 15 min goes out. No problem because it's normal street driving i can feel the 4x has not kicked in.

Here's where it gets odd.

When i have it in 2 hi and reverse on pavement, no problems at all i can run in reverse all day long. BUT...

2 times this week i parked on a beach and while still in 2 hiwhen it was time to leave, i put it in reverse and not sure if it's due to a little bit of a load in the sand or some slippage, the rear end felt like it locks into 4x4 by it's self strted to hop in the sand and i could hear the lockers or something clicking loud.

I did not stay in reverse more than10 feet then drove forward off the beach in 2hi... when i got up to solid ground, harpacked grael and pavement, the reverse worked normally....

I just want to know if reversing like it did on the beach was normal and that i'm not going to break anything. It just feels too smooth on pavement when i reverse for there to be a problem but when there's any slip in reverse the locking shocked me.

Please advise.

Thanks

txab · October 18, 2010

Sounds like your G80 locker on the rear is doing its job. More than 100 rpm (think that's the correct figure) difference between axles and it will lock 'em up, the rear only though. It will unlock when it's no longer needed

rushdispatch · October 18, 2010

Sounds like your G80 locker on the rear is doing its job. More than 100 rpm (think that's the correct figure) difference between axles and it will lock 'em up, the rear only though. It will unlock when it's no longer needed

Thanks, have had 4x4 tracker and gmc truck but never felt anything like that before in 2hi... Just wanted to make sure i did not have anything that was going to break... Just take some getting used to i guess. Thanks!