02' Tahoe 4x4

Frankhenrylee · August 5, 2011

Hey fella's, I was hoping someone could help me figure out what this is. Occasionally, as I'm driving (in 2wd)I hear a groan or buzz coming from the front end. 4wd makes quite a bit of this noise. Also, when I turn the steering wheel all the way in one way or the other it binds up kind of like it's in 4x4 (while in 2wd). I recently changed the fluid and found a chunk of metal on the drain plug about 1/8"x1/8" and much more metal shavings than I would have expected. Any ideas? Thanks for the help!

ChevyTech77 · August 5, 2011

Sounds like you have t-case issues. Time to take it out and get it apart to see what went wrong.

Frankhenrylee · August 10, 2011

Hey thanks for the advice. I forgot to mention that the chunk of metal was found in the front diff. If I wait till it gets worse am I risking damaging anything else, or should I nip this in the bud and have it looked at right away?

Frankhenrylee · August 16, 2011

Am I risking futher damage by not getting this fixed right away?

ChevyTech77 · August 16, 2011

There is always that possiblity, yes.

txab · August 16, 2011

Chunks are bad.... Get it looked at.

cvandegna · August 16, 2011

You may also want to have the 4WD actuator checked (the part that engages the front differential). Sounds to me like it could be hanging or engaging when you haven't asked it to.

Frankhenrylee · August 18, 2011

I was afraid of that, thanks for the help guys. I've got a pretty experienced shop to take it to, they quoted me around $800 on the front diff, $1200 if the ring and pinion got to be done.

cvandegna · August 18, 2011

I was afraid of that, thanks for the help guys. I've got a pretty experienced shop to take it to, they quoted me around $800 on the front diff, $1200 if the ring and pinion got to be done.

Well, if the ring/pinion shot, now would be a good time to change gear ratios...

Frankhenrylee · August 24, 2011

I was afraid of that, thanks for the help guys. I've got a pretty experienced shop to take it to, they quoted me around $800 on the front diff, $1200 if the ring and pinion got to be done.

Well, if the ring/pinion shot, now would be a good time to change gear ratios...

It's got stock tires on it right now, and it's still got plenty of pep off the line. I'm getting 285/75-16's next though. Do you think I would benefit from lower gears with these size tires or would the difference be negligible. I do a lot of driving through the mountains and rolling hills during hunting season, would new gears help with that?