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4x4 Problem?

G

Guest User

GUEST
???I have a Z71, am very happy with it, and it everything works as it should, but when I engage the 4x4, at different speeds, i can hear a whine coming from the front end as the vehicle is driven from around 15-55 mph. It does not sound like grinding or binding gears, but it is pronounced until i set it back into 2 wheel drive. Also when I accelerate in 4x4, the truck pulls slightly to the right. Is this all normal? I have never owned a Chevy, so I don't know if this is the nature of the beast. My Toyota Sequoia does not do any of this, so I have no real point of reference. Any feedback? Thanks!

 
I am by far not the most qualified to answer this question. I do know that according to the owners manual the 4-wheel drive system on the Avalanche is meant for part-time use. It says that if you drive on dry or wet pavement with the 4-wheel drive engaged you can shorten the life of the mechanicals.

Now with that said when I first got my Av the first snowflake on the ground I go to 4-Hi and I noticed it would make noise. I've found that is an incredibly competent vehicle in 2-Hi, even in slush, and the Auto 4-Wheel drive is good in variable conditions.

This Sunday when we went skiing they had gotten 10" of snow the night before so the parking lot was a sea of deep ice craters and packed down - so I engaged the 4-wheel drive as I made my way through. I was on a very slick surface and it was heavily rutted and my Av performed perfectly, I didn't notice any of the noises before.

I'll also add I just rolled over 1,500 miles on my Av, and didn't use 4-wheel drive at all during the first 500 miles (and never exceed 55 MPH or used cruise control, per the owners manual).

I'm sure other folks coming here can offer suggestions or ideas on if there is a problem. The Toyota Sequoia is quite the truck. When I did the comparision pages between the different brands (Ford, Dodge, Toyota) it was the only one that came close to the Avalanche feature for feature, and man, that Toyota has some serious ground clearance!
 
Thanks for your feedback. The noise you experienced, was it similar to what you would normally hear when gears are turning at high speed? You know, sort of like a whine?
 
Can't really recall. Tell you what, driving home tonight I'll engage the 4-wheel drive and put feedback up here.

Are you using the 4-wheel drive on dry or just wet pavement?
 
Both. But on dry, I make sure to keep the truck in a straight line, so as not to bind the gears.
 
I'll try it out tonight, but if you check your owners manual it's real clear that you shouldn't be running in 4-wheel drive on dry pavement or wet pavement. If you leave it in the Auto 4WD setting it will engage the front axle when it detects wheel slippage, similar to an AWD system. If you drive on variable road conditions (say snow belt slush that can go from dry to wet, to slush, to ice, to snow, back to dry in just a couple of miles) it's a great setting. Anyway, you're hurting your fuel mileage. If conditions require it than use it.

Again, I'll check and listen tonight doing some 50 MPH driving and see if I hear the same thing. I figure some one will stumble in here that knows more than you and me and come up with other answers.

;D
 
Checked mine last night on the way home from work on the freeway. Switched it over at 60 mph, didn't hear a bit of noise. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
 
Mine is quiet at 60 mph on up. I hear the gear whine as I vary my speed between 40-55 mph. Its kind of a whistle or whirring noise. Like I said, nothing sounds broken or binding, just unusual.
 
Checked mine too driving home last night as I said I would. I heard a very slight whine from 40 to 55 MPH but it was barely audible. I did notice what felt like the slightest of pulls, however my Av is going in for it's free wheel alignment on Monday so I can't comment on that.

If you're hearing a "whine" across that range of speed based on the feedback of others I'd say call the dealer, at least they get it on record.

However to extend the life of your Av - stop driving on dry pavement in 4WD and use 2-Hi or Auto 4WD.

Let us know what you find out!
 
Thanks for the feedback. I am set to have my alignment checked next Monday, as well as the shop foreman listening to the noise. I don't drive on dry pavement in 4x4, I only engaged it to listen to the noise on a straight road, so I would not cause damage to the drivetrain.
Thanks everyone for your time.
 
;D
This post is originally mine, I had not registered here when I started the thread, so it shows as posted by "Guest".
I wanted to follow up as an FYI. I had the shop foreman ride with me yesterday, and he stated that everything was normal. The whine of the gears can be heard from the front axle when engaged and is no problem at all. I now have 4500 miles, including a round trip from Texas to Colorado in the ice and snow, and I could not be more pleased. My commutes to and from work have become more pleasant since dumping my 94 Nissan Sentra for this.
 
We just had some snow the other day, so I ran right out to play with the Av. The transfer was smooth with no noise from the transfer cases, or trans. No pulling either wich is more than I can say for my Bronco. Do you hear any noises when you put it back to 2 wheel, or 4 low?
 
;)Transfer to and from 4x4 is fine. The only noise is the relay clicking when you select 2wd. Once the front axle disengages, the gear whine stops, since that was where it was originating from.
 
You should NEVER engage the four wheel drive system on dry or just damp pavement at high speeds! offroad during these conditions is fine. Read your owners manual.
 
I'm not an Ava owner yet but close. My biggest concern is the Ava 4x4 system. I live in a place with snow on the ground up to 4 or 5 months out of the year. Will it be a problem if I use the auto 4x4 mode for such long periods of time? I understand that the 4 Hi is not to be used constantly.

Thanks in advance.
 
I think that you will find the AutoTrac setting just fine for most snow - If it is really bad the 4HI will not have a problem, assuming that you are not trying to do 1/4 mi runs in a foot of snow :D
 
Leaving the vehicle in auto will not hurt the tranny, even on dry pavement. I use it when it first rains, and the streets are slick from the oil deposits. When turning the front wheels, you will notice that the gears do not bind because while the front axle is engaged, all power is still placed to the rear until it detects slippage, then redirects to the front. I used the full time 4x4 when I was driving in snow/ice on the highway from Colorado, and was able to do up to 75mph. That was 2000 miles ago, and I have no problems with my Av.
 
"Will it be a problem if I use the auto 4x4 mode for such long periods of time?"

I ran auto 4wd for the good part of december 00. We had got 3ft of snow and from the end of november to jaunary i had my truck 90% of the time in 4wd auto and 10% in 4wd hi. Also my mom had her blazer in 4wd auto the whole time. Neither of our trucks had a problem

Only problem this yr is no snow :( 65 degrees today when the normal is in the 20's. Tues/wed it is supposed to snow cant wait
 
As everyone else has stated, Auto 4WD isn't going to hurt your transfer case, engine, or transmission. We've had snow all weekend in Western Washington (kind of unusual for us) and I did 90% of my driving in 2 Hi or Auto 4WD. I was extremely impressed with the Goodyears on the Av and how well it did in 2 Hi. The only time I engaged fulltime 4WD was in the Stevens Pass area with deep hard packed snow on the roadway and deep soft snow in the parking lot at the ski area.

IMHO the Auto 4WD system is probably the best thing about the GM transfer case. On a closing note, a check of the Owner's Manual reveals that the warning of running around in 4WD only applies to 4 Hi and 4 Lo on dry/wet pavement.
 
Thanks for all the comments. All of you are so helpful. Hopefully, I'll be an owner soon. A dealer offer $200 over invoice but I have to pay $550 of 'co-op' advertisement fees'. :mad:

I feel much better about being able to use Auto Trac for the harsh winters here. Thanks again.
 
By the way, rumor has it that AutoTrac and the ABS can get kittywampus of each other in skid weather like snow covered ice. Obviously can't verify in Houston - but, you might want to find a large parking lot to play/practice in. :rolleyes:
 
Folks:

I know the last post on this topic has been from a while ago... but a few things struck my "be careful" cord!!!

From my older days as an avid 4X4 enthusiast...

Automatic locking hubs.... engage them from low speeds only -- less then 25 mph whenever possible. ?Locking the front end at speeds any faster then this can cause severe damage to your front locking system. ?Rule of thumb... if you can do 75 mile per hour you really don't need the 4X4. Also, when done using your vehicle in 4X4 make sure you back up at least 10 feet to ensure the system disengages after shifting to 2hi

Manual locking hubs... engage them when needed or whenever you feel you will be needing as in prior to snow storm warning etc. ?Again, back it up at least 10 feet to ensure the system disengages when unlocking your hubs.

Both of the guidelines above relate to using the vehicle 4X4hi only.

4X4 low is to be used in extreme conditions when the extra torque is necessary. ?You should only engage 4X4 low from a dead stop and not while moving since it can tear things up something fierce.

Avoid using the 4X4 system on dry or wet paved surfaces. ? This kind of driving specially if prolongued will cause your hubs to freeze or malfunction due to the extra load put on the hubs themselves translating into some premature wear on your front spindles and bearings which will require some serious labor to get them replaced.?

Now the last time I went on a serious 4X4 excursion was way back in the late 80's so I do hope the technology used in our AV has been improved since those days... which I hope translates in less preventive maintanence necessary and longer overall component life.

However, one thing will always be true... The meaning of a four wheel drive vehicle--To boldly get stuck where no other vehicle has ever been stuck before. ? :eek:

Take care folks and do take these factors into consideration when engaging your 4X4 system.

Siempre,

 
Nikon4 said:
4X4 low is to be used in extreme conditions when the extra torque is necessary. ?You should only engage 4X4 low from a dead stop and not while moving since it can tear things up something fierce.
Click to expand...

Actually if you read the owners manual they recommend having your Av moving from 1 to 3 MPH as optimal when engaging 4-Lo - dead stop is less than optimal...
 
Alrighty then! I originally posted this thread, and since then, the noise coming from my front axle has grown louder. I dropped off the Av at a dealer for a water leak issue, and I asked them to take a spin to hear the noise when 4x4 is engaged. Lo and behold, I got call from the service advisor stating that they are replacing the pinion gear in the front axle. See the below quote from another thread titled "Pulling/Vibration":
idocpilk said:
Well, things are much better. The ring and pinion gears must have taken 1/2 a day as they spent the rest of the day on the vibration and pulling. The noise is gone so that must have been it. I still think I have a vibration problem but now it seems to be a 65 mph. Feels like a bad tire to me and when they balanced the tires one had 6" of balance weights...I think that tire is bad or the wheel is bad. If I still sense the vibration next week I am going to have them check the drive shaft and then if that's ok then I am going to ask for a new tire or wheel. Otherwise I am enjoying the AV a great deal. Only problem is I miss my old truck...I haven't got the nerve to really use this one. Oh well.
Click to expand...
Looks like this issue can be with either axle. I wanted to post this so ya'll will know the issue is related to the above posted thread.
 
I had a very slight Rumbling noise when I first tried the 4 Wheel Drive on mine at very low speed.., I didn't think much of it.., and it only did it in 4 Wheel Drive..., well..., I now have the same noise, but rhythmic.., and much louder even in Two Wheel Drive..., I checked the Front Diff. fluid.., it was fine...., so I put the Truck on jack stands today..., and ran it in Drive...., Oh Boy...., the Whole Drives side Half Shaf is Moving Up, and Down., in time with the Rumbling noise :(... And I have Never even used the Four Wheel Drive Yet.., other than to try it Twice.., only 1800 miles on the Truck.., needless to say.., it will be going to the Dealer.., Hopefully for a New Front Differential.., or repair.., but I dont trust Dealer Tec,s to set up gears.., but some time they have a Guy who knows what He's doing.., ill be watching them Close on this one... Im Hoping this is just a Fluke.., and not a Common Problem with the Front Diff... I didn't Realize it Turned All the Time.., even in Two Wheel Drive., not like the Old 4Wheel Drive system, which Did Not.......
 
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