Differential Locking On Turns ?

pjn2112 · September 16, 2011

Has anyone experienced tires dragging or skidding on low speed turns? I thought it was my brakes locking up and had them looked at .mechanics said they are fine . The only other reason I can think of it is somehow related to my differential . My truck info is 1500 2008 extend cab . LT no mods or lifts . drum brakes in the rear . Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and this is happening to the outside tire in the turn .

flhusa1 · September 16, 2011

do you have the locking g80 differential? have you changed the fluid in it yet?

uchi · September 16, 2011

ive done full lock turns in my truck with the locker and dont recall it ever locking on me. as stated above you probably need to change the fluid

crankman · September 16, 2011

Has anyone experienced tires dragging or skidding on low speed turns? I thought it was my brakes locking up and had them looked at .mechanics said they are fine . The only other reason I can think of it is somehow related to my differential . My truck info is 1500 2008 extend cab . LT no mods or lifts . drum brakes in the rear . Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and this is happening to the outside tire in the turn .

Our family has 3 Chevy trucks they have all done it at one time or other. All 3 have the G80. Thats normal to me anyway.

pjn2112 · September 16, 2011

Thanks for the feedback I will look into getting the fluid replaced . incidentally the vehicle has 57K on it and I owned it since it had 33K on the clock. please help me understand why it would need a fluid change so early. Thanks again for the help . this problem has been a mystery to me .

dlstewart01 · September 16, 2011

LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICANT (SERVICE INFORMATION) #91-4-109

SUBJECT: LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (G80) LUBRICANT - (SERVICE INFORMATION)

VEHICLES AFFECTED: ALL LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH G80 REAR AXLE ALL YEARS

Some light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles (G80) may exhibit rear axle chatter, especially when turning a corner from a stop.

This condition of alternate engagement and disengagement of clutches in differential assembly is usually caused by contaminated axle lubricant.

To correct this condition, drain and refill the rear axle with SAE 75W-90 GL5 (P/N 12378261). The use of any additive in locking rear axles (G80) is not recommended. Rear axle additives are designed for use in limited slip differentials which are normally installed in cars. All light duty trucks equipped with RPO G80 make use of a locking differential and the use of additives will delay the engagement of the locking mechanism and may decrease axle life.VEHICLES/COMPONENTS INVOLVED: ----------------------------- Some light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles, RPO G80.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number Description ----------- ------------------ 12678261 Lubricant, Rear Axle (1 litre)

Parts are currently available through CANSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

As specified in Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedules, locking rear axle fluid drain and refill is required owner maintenance at the first engine oil change. Failure to drain and refill the rear axle as specified may contribute to a later axle chatter condition. Refer to the appropriate Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedule or service manual, section OB, for further details on change intervals.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

Stevens03 · September 16, 2011

On my 03, my lockers would stay locked every now and then. I could do a quick back up and make it release.

KMGZ400 · September 16, 2011

On my 03, my lockers would stay locked every now and then. I could do a quick back up and make it release.

happens on my 01 everyonce in a while. i just floor it and spin the tires or just go above 25 to unlock it. or you can back it up

pjn2112 · September 17, 2011

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE ! I thought I bought a lemon there for a while . I never owned a vehicle with the locking rear axle so this is all new to me . after I learned what it was I went to you tube and watched a few videos on why there is a locking differential.

jblakeney · September 17, 2011

Mud, snow, non-level terrain just a couple that pop into my head......... Plus it is nice to have equal length black stripes.....

Sounds normal for a locking differential.... You can drain and refill, if you want....

I know, NO MANUFACTURER will tell you to do this but..... I usually put a pint of Marvel Mystery Oil in EVERY time I change differential fluid. You would be surprised how much difference it can make in a diff that makes noise.

MMO is quite the tool for lots of jobs... This is one that I have found it to be great at.

Jbo

uchi · September 18, 2011

the staying locked up thing is normal, my 06 did it occasionally and my 09 did it the other day aswell. stab the throttle or like stated put her in reverse and itll unlock

ybsane · September 18, 2011

the staying locked up thing is normal, my 06 did it occasionally and my 09 did it the other day aswell. stab the throttle or like stated put her in reverse and itll unlock

I never could understand the love of the G80 unit. Waiting to get my hands on this unit to replace out my other Rear from Auburn.

http://auburngear.com/aftermarket/product_...38-c6f9d7f93179

Rob

pjn2112 · September 19, 2011

the staying locked up thing is normal, my 06 did it occasionally and my 09 did it the other day aswell. stab the throttle or like stated put her in reverse and itll unlock

I never could understand the love of the G80 unit. Waiting to get my hands on this unit to replace out my other Rear from Auburn.

http://auburngear.com/aftermarket/product_...38-c6f9d7f93179

Rob

Yes I would of preferred a system that I can activate over the one I have . Just like having a driveshaft that doesn't clunk on hard stops !

uchi · September 19, 2011

its a good unit but it has alot of flaws. its nice having the extra traction as soon as you need it, i dont like that it disengages at 20 mph, usually if im mid corner in a drift theres nothing worse than the locker kicking out. and realistically if youre in mud youre gonna spin the tires faster than 20 mph to get un stuck and the locker will have un locked. having the option to manually engage it would have been great. i know last year i was parked partially in my buddies ditch infront of his house in the winter, locker kicked in when i went to leave and the ass end slid into the ditch, luckily auto 4wd wasnt far off and it pulled me out. still i would have been better without the rear locking. its a great unit for straight line slow speed traction, pulling a boat out of the water, etc, but id prefer a manual locking unit