4wd actuators in front differential

SarahsGMC · May 12, 2014

How hard is it to pull one out of a 98 silverado to test in my 06 sierra? My brother never has the time and I need 4wd back before memorial weekend. Anyone removed one?

sent from my truck in a field

MikeNH · May 12, 2014

Well assuming they're the same, which I sorta doubt it's super easy. Drop the skid plate and you'll see it running horizontal in front of the passenger side axle tube. Undo the plug and then use a wrench or channel locks to unscrew it from the axle.

What it your truck doing? The actuators aren't anywhere near as common to fail as the electronic switch for 4WD on the 800-series.

MikeNH · May 12, 2014

Just search Silverado front actuator replacement on YouTube. 1A Auto has a good video and if you need parts they're good people. Several of their guys were involved in the 4x4 club I was part of in NH.

SarahsGMC · May 13, 2014

Alright sounds simple. And Idk what it is and he said that's a simple thing to try so figured I'd start there than spend a bunch for some idiot to tell me a list of things wrong that I'm already aware of.

What do you mean electronic switch being bad? What mines doing is just blinking when I press the buttons none of them work and even being in neutral or having the engine off doesn't work.

sent from my truck in a field

MikeNH · May 13, 2014

You have push button 4WD right? Those switch panels are notorious for failing. To be honest if it were me I'd start there. You got anyone out there with a similar truck? It's a five minute job to swap it. Just pull the dash bezel, the switch snaps in/out and unplug it.

gmtech4 · May 13, 2014

Should scan the TCCM first

P2725 is for the switch I believe

Don't guess

MikeNH · May 13, 2014

Should scan the TCCM first

P2725 is for the switch I believe

Don't guess

Most of us don't have enhanced scan tools/I haven't sorted out how to justify that cost... Yet.

gmtech4 · May 13, 2014

Most of us don't have enhanced scan tools/I haven't sorted out how to justify that cost... Yet.

shops have them ,,,,,,or ya can just guess away ,,,

SarahsGMC · May 13, 2014

My brother has a scanner I could ask him to bring it home. So it just shorts put and doesn't tell the truck to do anything? I can't imagine it's the transfer case since it was just rebuilt and usually when I press 4hi you can hear the actuator working and feel it engage. I hear and feel nothing tbe.lights on the switch work you're saying it just isn't sending the message?

sent from my truck in a field

kstruckcountry · May 13, 2014

It sounds to me like the switch isn't the problem. When my pickup threw the 4x4 code, I knew right away that it was the switches because sometimes the backlights would go out and I would thump it and they'd come back, haha.

You can check it easily by putting the whole truck on stands. Push 4x4 and put it in gear, if the driveshaft turns but front axles don't, it's a front axle act. problem, the driveshaft doesn't turn, it's the tcase. $$$ My shop hooked up the scanner, saw the issue, dropped the tcase and installed case saver and new actuator in a few hours.

SarahsGMC · May 13, 2014

Uggghggh why does this have to happen right before memorial weekend I'm so pissed. I'll try all this this weekend when I have access to the shop lift

sent from my truck in a field

MikeNH · May 13, 2014

If you're not hearing the encoder motor shifting the transfer case it's likely the new switch. They weren't too much money back when I was at the dealer so I can't imagine they've gone up in price.

And govtech4- I know dealers have the enhanced scan tool, that's why I try to keep my vehicles under warranty. I dealt with other peoples problems for like three years before I got burnt out. Now it's nice to drop it off and let them make it better.

gmtech4 · May 13, 2014

If you're not hearing the encoder motor shifting the transfer case it's likely the new switch. They weren't too much money back when I was at the dealer so I can't imagine they've gone up in price.

And govtech4- I know dealers have the enhanced scan tool, that's why I try to keep my vehicles under warranty. I dealt with other peoples problems for like three years before I got burnt out. Now it's nice to drop it off and let them make it better.

i lasted 14 yrs ,,,,,i love my more relaxed job now ,,,,being a soldier and mechanic was less stressful than being a flat rate dealer tech that rebuilt trannies in the oil patch !!!

SarahsGMC · May 13, 2014

We just scanned it and was throwing a service history message for front axle we pulled actuator out and engaged 4hi and it was seized up no moving so looks like I'm replacing front actuator. We also used the scanner to run the motor on transfer case and it's working so I have an actuator lined up to pick up Friday and I'm gonna install it when I get to my boyfriends place and it NEEDS new fluid so I'm gonna replace that too.

sent from my truck in a field

gmtech4 · May 13, 2014

We just scanned it and was throwing a service history message for front axle we pulled actuator out and engaged 4hi and it was seized up no moving so looks like I'm replacing front actuator. We also used the scanner to run the motor on transfer case and it's working so I have an actuator lined up to pick up Friday and I'm gonna install it when I get to my boyfriends place and it NEEDS new fluid so I'm gonna replace that too.

sent from my truck in a field

Right on , that's the way to do it !!!!,

Covered all the bases and no guessing ,,, perfect