4wd Not Working

Volucris · May 27, 2008

Well, the 4WD went out over the weekend. 2007 OBS LS with the transfer case shiftter on the floor.

Ever since I got it, it hasn't been working right and now its shot. The transfer case was groaning and moaning in 4WD lo (even when UI was going straight), and after I got to the bottom of the mountain and shifted to 2HI, it wouldn't go into 4WD hi or lo anymore. The transfer case shifts OK, but the hubs aren't locking in.

Then a friend of mine gave me a ride in his 2002 Silverado Z71 with 120,000 miles on it. No moaning, groaning, and everything workded and sounded great. I think there is something seriously wrong with the whole 4WD system.

So, I'm taking it to the dealer to get it fixed and I have a couple of questions.

1. I'm in the Denver area. Does anyone have a recommendation on which dealer has the best service department?

2. I'd like them to look inside the transfer case and the front differential to ensure that both are fixed properly. Any idea how to get the service department to do it.

I really like the truck. It gets pretty good gas mileage for what it is, it's comfortable, and everything except for the 4WD works fine. I'd like to get this fixed right.

slimjim2525 · May 27, 2008

Well, the 4WD went out over the weekend. 2007 OBS LS with the transfer case shiftter on the floor.

Ever since I got it, it hasn't been working right and now its shot. The transfer case was groaning and moaning in 4WD lo (even when UI was going straight), and after I got to the bottom of the mountain and shifted to 2HI, it wouldn't go into 4WD hi or lo anymore. The transfer case shifts OK, but the hubs aren't locking in.

Then a friend of mine gave me a ride in his 2002 Silverado Z71 with 120,000 miles on it. No moaning, groaning, and everything workded and sounded great. I think there is something seriously wrong with the whole 4WD system.

So, I'm taking it to the dealer to get it fixed and I have a couple of questions.

1. I'm in the Denver area. Does anyone have a recommendation on which dealer has the best service department?

2. I'd like them to look inside the transfer case and the front differential to ensure that both are fixed properly. Any idea how to get the service department to do it.

I really like the truck. It gets pretty good gas mileage for what it is, it's comfortable, and everything except for the 4WD works fine. I'd like to get this fixed right.

Bring it to the dealer, and have faith that they will do the right thing.

95Sierra2500 · May 27, 2008

If it's an '07, it should be covered under warranty. If it isn't fixed to your liking, take it back.

As for it moaning and groaning, do you put it in 4wd lo any time you're offroad? I've never needed more than 4hi for off-roading, but if I needed to get something that was really stuck unstuck, then I needed 4lo. You may have been trying to go too fast in 4lo and damaged something, but it should still be under warranty.

Remember, though, that since '88 ('92 on Tahoes/Yukons/Suburbans), no GM 4x4 has had hubs at the wheels on the front axle. Because of the design of the IFS, there is no need for a hub. It's simply a solenoid that engages at the front differential.

ColoradoSkiCountry · May 28, 2008

What part of town do you live in?

I can reccomend Burt Chevy, they are the oldest and one of the larger Chevy dealers, Purifoy Chevrolet up in Ft. Lupton, maybe Century Chevrolet in Aurora... Not sure if Stevenson still has Chevy out in Lakewood...

Too bad you do not have a GMC, I could reccomend Burt GMC in Englewood or GO GMC in Park Meadows.

svensk · May 28, 2008

Take it to the dealer and play dumb!!!

Volucris · May 28, 2008

I tried Burt when it started going out last summer. They couldn't get it screw up in the lot, so they said they couldn't fix it. It seemed to me the least they could have done was take a look and see what was going on. I would have like to try Purifoy, but that's a 42 mile trip just to get it there.

I tried Stevinson out in Golden this time. Since it is obviously messed up, and the service manager had no trouble getting it to screw up in the lot, they should be able to diagnose and fix it. We'll see.

I have only used the 4WD LO about 5 times since I got the truck, and it was screwing up right from the first time. I only use it for very steep, rocky, 4WD roads.

Rocco715 · May 28, 2008

Take it to the dealer and play dumb!!!

Exactly, that way since they only have a vague idea then they'll have to examine everything to make sure its right, as long as the tech working on it takes pride in his job that is.