G80 LS Issues

brokenaxles · April 8, 2006

Hello. I am new to this site and have a question regarding the G80 locker. I just had 4.10 gears installed in my '04 Silverado 1500 and when I turn a corner, the wheels try to lock up and I end up dragging or hopping a tire until I straighten out. I took it back to the shop to have it re-evaluated and they changed the oil and supposively added a friction modifier. That didn't help much. I made a rather long turn and felt the rear end jump and the wheels freed up. After driving down the highway and making another turn, the wheels were back to locking. I pulled into the local auto parts store and literally drug my right rear tire fifteen feet while turning into a parking spot. Will changing the oil and using the GM recommended fluid with a tube of friction modifier help or do I possibly have a more serious problem with the lsd? I can say that I have not heard an clicking or ratcheting although it could be doing it and I can't hear it over the dragging tire.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Chad Weaver

U.S. Navy, Strike Fighter Squadron 146

Driving:

'04 Spoiled Rotten Silverado 1500

20" Tyfun 007's

Air Lift in the rear

ProComp MX6 at the corners

Summit Headers

Flowmaster/K&N

Wait4MePerformance tuned

454ss · April 8, 2006

sounds to me like your ls is shot, the factory limited slip diffs are junk, ive broke every one ive ever had since back in the 70s up to today, they may be fine for people who dont actually use thier truck but if you do it wont last long, especially with power upgrades.

5.3almnblk · April 8, 2006

They aint no junk on a truck parish got 700hp on to his g80 before it blew. They either did the install wrong or something because my friend has an 04 and has 65k miles and his g80 still works like new.

454ss · April 8, 2006

like i said, if you actualy use it, yes, they are junk, i can send you buckets full of broken ones if you want. i find it hard to believe one would hold anywhere near 700hp under actual driving conditions, spinning on a chassis dyno isnt the same.

mblrds · April 8, 2006

My understanding is that the g80 uses a synthetic lube without a friction modifier needed.

Something definitely ain't right with your locker.

brokenaxles · April 8, 2006

I've read a bunch of threads and they all say to use the synthetic fluid (which GM recommends) and most say to use the modifier. The guy at the speed shop told me that the G80s are junk and will eventually break. What kills me is that I drove that thing in there with absolutely no problems with the G80. I know that 4.10/4.11 is an option from Chevrolet so I would be certain it's nothing to do with that. Has anybody taken it to the dealer for warranty work?? I only have 30K miles on my truck. I think I will try to change the fluid since it's Saturday and answers might be hard to come buy out here.

454ss · April 8, 2006

mine was replaced by the dealer under warranty twice, the third time it broke i put a detroit locker in it myself, they are bullet proof.

brokenaxles · April 8, 2006

mine was replaced by the dealer under warranty twice, the third time it broke i put a detroit locker in it myself, they are bullet proof.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did you have any gears installed prior to taking it to the dealer or were you still bone stock?

asilverblazer · April 8, 2006

If the dealer won't warranty it (you might get lucky and they won't notice the gears were replaced, if they do I doubt they warranty it) take it back to the shop; and have them fix it. If it worked before it should work after.

P.S. My well used "G80" has 140K on it, no problems.

brokenaxles · April 8, 2006

I just spoke with 4WheelParts in Fresno, CA (where I bought my gears from) and talked to a guy who does installs and basically said that if I am having issues with the diff to just replace it before it grenades the entire rear end. He also said that if he had worked on a GM rear end with the G80 and forgot the modifier, he'd have issues. My wife doesn't want future problems so I am waiting on a call back from them on a quote for an Eaton Posi with the 400# spring pack. Better safe than sorry. (Gotta love a wife who understands our needs )

brokenaxles · April 8, 2006

Okay, technical question:

I have the rear diff cover off and am looking at the differential. There are two bars going across infront of the spider gears. One has a spring and the other has some sort of casing that opens and has a gear extending to the left that meshes with a gear on the inside of the diff. (I am a technician on electronics, not mechanics so sorry for the lame description) The more I look at the thing the more I have figured that the locker is completely locked and not coming free hence the tire dragging around corners. My question of the day is what exactly causes the locker to lock? Is it something I should be able to visibly see and maybe help unlock?

p.s. I do see where people say they are a pile of crap...there are nicks and scratches all over the place inside that thing.

torx · April 8, 2006

Okay, technical question:

I have the rear diff cover off and am looking at the differential. There are two bars going across infront of the spider gears. One has a spring and the other has some sort of casing that opens and has a gear extending to the left that meshes with a gear on the inside of the diff. (I am a technician on electronics, not mechanics so sorry for the lame description) The more I look at the thing the more I have figured that the locker is completely locked and not coming free hence the tire dragging around corners. My question of the day is what exactly causes the locker to lock? Is it something I should be able to visibly see and maybe help unlock?

p.s. I do see where people say they are a pile of crap...there are nicks and scratches all over the place inside that thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

off topic-I see in your sig you have pro comp mx6 shocks-how do you like them?

100R1 · April 9, 2006

Go to the EATON G80 WEBSITE

and see how it works.

gp down the page to: " Want to see it work from the inside? Click here"

Click on it and a short video will open giving pictures of the G80 in action

By the way, your G80 was working fine when you brought the truck in to have the ratio changed and when you drove it out it no longer worker properly, Then I would say the shop did not set it up proper or damaged something in the process. They have to make it right. they are at fault for not test driving it before they handed you the keys.

mblrds · April 9, 2006

Would there be something in the locker that would make it ratio specific? Something the installer needed to change when they changed the ratio?

brokenaxles · April 9, 2006

Go to the EATON G80 WEBSITE

and see how it works.

gp down the page to: " Want to see it work from the inside? Click here"

Click on it and a short video will open giving pictures of the G80 in action

By the way, your G80 was working fine when you brought the truck in to have the ratio changed and when you drove it out it no longer worker properly, Then I would say the shop did not set it up proper or damaged something in the process. They have to make it right. they are at fault for not test driving it before they handed you the keys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I found that website shortly after I wrote the thread. Felt like a retard. I messed with the diff a little with no sucess. I called summit racing to order a new eaton posi and they said that you have to use the GM fluid because it is a mineral based vice petroleum based lubricant. When I drained the fluid from the diff it smelled and felt like good ol' fashioned 80W90 oil...not synthetic. I do plan to go back to the shop and offer them the opportunity to refund my money before going to the better business bureau. Kind of sucks because they were highly recommended.