1 Wheel Drive?

yo_vanilla_face · April 6, 2007

My Sierra only drives with one wheel(that limited slip differential right?) and I was wondering if it ever used both wheels in certain conditions because sometimes i've floored it on grass and stuff and it rips up both sides. but when Ive jacked the truck up and put in in drive, only one wheel spins. Its a 2000 1500 sierra 4.8 and i was just wondering if both wheels ever spin...thanks

Cheekster96 · April 6, 2007

When you had your truck jacked up, did you rotate the rear tires and did they both spin in the same direction or opposite? If they spinned in the same direction, then you have the limited slip. If not, you have an open (free) diff.

I think that the locker works at speeds under 25mph.

I m sure others will add more info later.

Hope this helps a bit.

later

Lee

Bish · April 6, 2007

The stock limited slip is actually a locker. It will lock if it senses different spin rates between both rear wheels. When it locks, both axles spin at exactly the same rate. It will disengage at 25mph. Look for G80 code in your glovebox sticker. If it lists G80, you have their locker.

Regarding Cheekster96 comment, I'm not sure that is correct. With my Tahoe (with G80 locker) is jacked up, if I spin one rear wheel the other rotates in the opposite direction and I have the locker so I'm not sure that is a good way to test. I could be wrong but that is the way it works on mine.

Loomis462 · April 6, 2007

the factory locker will only engage if power is applied to the differential, else it would be a nightmare turning on the street.

asilverblazer · April 6, 2007

Unless it has the RPO code "G80 in the glove box it is an "open differential" only 1 wheel powers the vehicle. In extremely low traction conditions it is possible that both wheels may spin, but the instant one tire receives more traction than the other it will stop spinning and the other will continue, at which point forward motion ceases and you become stuck.

2007GMCSierra · April 6, 2007

I'm pretty sure the older limited slips were inertia type - different than the Eaton in the newer trucks. With the inertia type, you need to really snap the wheel to lock it in - might not happen if you just slid it into drive. I think there is a pendulum style weight that actually swings up to lock the wheels together - I've heard that some actually get stuck - locked into place and then you have a posi rear end - not cool on dry roads in corners...