Transaxle Noise

ncridgerunner · August 12, 2018

This week I took my 2016 LT up a steep mountain road with lots of hairpin turns. I noticed that when going around the hairpin turns that there was some noise and front end "feel" like the four wheel drive was engaged. I moved the selector knob from 2wd to Auto and then back to 2wd and the noise and "feel" stopped. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not sure how the transaxle works in this vehicle but it almost seems that the transaxle was engaged even while in 2wd.

ray2005 · August 13, 2018

This week I took my 2016 LT up a steep mountain road with lots of hairpin turns. I noticed that when going around the hairpin turns that there was some noise and front end "feel" like the four wheel drive was engaged. I moved the selector knob from 2wd to Auto and then back to 2wd and the noise and "feel" stopped. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not sure how the transaxle works in this vehicle but it almost seems that the transaxle was engaged even while in 2wd.

What kind of noise? I have noticed something similar, its a clicking noise. I noticed it a few days after using the 4wd auto. I went on a road trip and was getting really bad gas mileage on the highway, when I got there I heard clicking coming from the front wheel. I switched to 4wd then back to 2wd and it went away. The return trip gas mileage was back where it should be.

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Supreme Pizza · August 13, 2018

On 8/11/2018 at 5:49 PM, ncridgerunner said:

This week I took my 2016 LT up a steep mountain road with lots of hairpin turns. I noticed that when going around the hairpin turns that there was some noise and front end "feel" like the four wheel drive was engaged. I moved the selector knob from 2wd to Auto and then back to 2wd and the noise and "feel" stopped. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not sure how the transaxle works in this vehicle but it almost seems that the transaxle was engaged even while in 2wd.

This all seems OK. Mine makes a small amount of noise when in 4 auto, and it can be felt as well. Sometimes the 4x4 selector switch malfunctions, and I have to press 2H to get it back into the proper selection.

L86 All Terrain · August 13, 2018

I assume you're talking about the transfer case. A transaxle is a transmission mounted to the differential/axle combination, usually found in sports cars like a Corvette in order to balance the weight better in the car.

The AWD selection of the transfer case keeps the front end locked in but only sends power to the front when required. Maybe you hit the switch or flicked it on and off by accident, it sounds like the clutch didn't come all the way disengaged until you cycled the switch again. When switching modes, I always like to shift the trans into neutral to ensure it disengages out of 4wd or Awd. I know it is not necessary, but a habit I have acquired from earlier 4x4 vehicles. I have never had an repairable issue with a GM electronically shifted transfer case.

ray2005 · August 13, 2018

I'm not talking about being in 4wd auto, mine makes the noise in 2wd, I have to shift to auto and back to 2wd to get it to stop. I don't have to be in 4wd or auto for it to start. It's like it's half engaged or something. I have it going in for service tomorrow so we'll see.

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crushNchowda · August 13, 2018

Is it a growling/grinding noise/feel? I am getting a low vibrating hum/grind noise coming from what seems to be front left - thought it was a bearing going bad, but dealer says negative (if they even checked) - feel it only when turning to the right, I did use 4wd few times in early July if it turns out my driver's front wheel has been partially engaged since then I'm going to be pissed.

Almost feel like I should verify whether it is or not by lifting up by the frame & putting it in D before trying doing a back/forth engagement of 4wd w/ the knob - in case it IS partially engaged while the selector is clearly in 2WD, I want the dealer to be aware.

ray2005 · August 13, 2018

Mine is a clicking grinding noise and is sporadic.

Is it a growling/grinding noise/feel? I am getting a low vibrating hum/grind noise coming from what seems to be front left - thought it was a bearing going bad, but dealer says negative (if they even checked) - feel it only when turning to the right, I did use 4wd few times in early July if it turns out my driver's front wheel has been partially engaged since then I'm going to be pissed.

Almost feel like I should verify whether it is or not by lifting up by the frame & putting it in D before trying doing a back/forth engagement of 4wd w/ the knob - in case it IS partially engaged while the selector is clearly in 2WD, I want the dealer to be aware.

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ncridgerunner · August 15, 2018

Sorry, for the slow reply, had to stop to welcome a new granddaughter into the world. Seems my 3 yr old grandson can get me to do about anything so I guess it will be hopeless when this little girl gets a little older.

Thanks 10Sierra I do mean transfer case. The noise is more of a low pitched whine when the wheel is sharply turned in either direction. I did check the selector switch prior to moving it to AWD and it definitely was in 2WD. My display also showed it to be in 2WD. Having owned several 4WD and several AWD vehicles over the years it felt more like a vehicle in 4WD when making a sharp turn. I drove it today and tried to duplicate the noise without any success. Not much reason to take to a dealer if I can't duplicate the problem.

ray2005 · August 27, 2018

I took mine to the dealership and they could not reproduce it. They said make sure I didn't bump the switch into auto 4wd. I know that wasn't the case but left it go. Of course it did it again the other day. Hopefully I figure it out or something becomes more obvious before the warranty runs out.

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