03 Chevy suburban, 2wd doesn't work

Jacobs1989 · February 23, 2016

Ok to start it off, it started snowing girlfriend had the truck and had the truck in 4w auto for a good month. Started acting up a week ago. The front tires started popping in and out. So I took it out of 4w auto and put it in 2wd and it was poppin and grinding and making crazy sounds. I put it in 4w high and the truck moving and I could make it home. Got it in the garage, unplugged the battery for a hour hooked it back up, still nothing. put in a new transfer case shift motor and still won't move in 2wd. You can hear the shaft spinning. Looking underneath both driveshafts spin and the tires don't move in 2wd. When I was in some mud, And 4wd high or low the front tires spin and rear do nothing. Anyone know what's the issue? Most the noise comes from the rearend...

grampadirt · February 25, 2016

Time to put it on a lift.Put it in 4hi or 4lo in Drive,watch the driveshafts and see what happens.

Buckfarrack · March 3, 2016

Ok to start it off, it started snowing girlfriend had the truck and had the truck in 4w auto for a good month. Started acting up a week ago. The front tires started popping in and out. So I took it out of 4w auto and put it in 2wd and it was poppin and grinding and making crazy sounds. I put it in 4w high and the truck moving and I could make it home. Got it in the garage, unplugged the battery for a hour hooked it back up, still nothing. put in a new transfer case shift motor and still won't move in 2wd. You can hear the shaft spinning. Looking underneath both driveshafts spin and the tires don't move in 2wd. When I was in some mud, And 4wd high or low the front tires spin and rear do nothing. Anyone know what's the issue? Most the noise comes from the rearend...

Newbie here on this forum,but you have probably found out by now........your REAREND ring and pinion gear is junk.That's why the truck doesn't pull itself in 2wd.When you lock in the front wheels,you can limp it to the shop.DON'T drive it far,or at hwy speeds.You risk the pinion coming out and flinging the driveshaft out of it doing WAY more damage than you have now.Hope this helps.

Jacobs1989 · March 3, 2016

Yeah the day I posted this I put it up on the lift and pulled the rearend apart. It ended up being the 4 inner spider gears. Ring and pinion was in good shape. Found them at local store for $138. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. And yeah I never went to school to be a mechanic just a guy that fixes his own stuff if he can. Thanks fellas.

Jacobs1989 · March 3, 2016

Here's a picture.

Buckfarrack · March 4, 2016

You gotter buddy.Only thing i can add for advise,or my opinion is...I race dirt track and rear gears get hot when you play.I highly advise to NOT go cheap with gear oil.We use Redline gear oil and it really sticks to the gears.It's pricy,but well worth the money if you are gonna play in the mud.

When only replacing the spiders,it may make a little noise for the first few hundred miles until they mesh perfect but i wouldn't worry about it,keep truckin'.

Goodluck gettin'er back together.

Jacobs1989 · March 5, 2016

Thanks brother love your username btw. This is just my truck I drive to work, I take it easy on her cause I want her to last. I had the trans rebuilt at a shop and they rebuilt the trans and changed all the fluid in the rear dif, front dif, and transfer case. Looked like enough fluid came out. Not sure why the spiders went out though.