Isn't traction assist on the 2wd models? ?It controls wheelspin, probably by 1: upshifting the tranny, ?2: doing the whole torque management thing, and possibly, like some late model muscle cars, 3: applying the brake to the wheel thats spinning/loosing traction... ?
My g/f's Olds Alero definitely does the first two... not sure about the third.
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I'm not a big fan of the Eaton Mechanical Locker (G80). ?
In the 10 bolt rear ends in the 1500's, you must replace the whole carrier if you ever wanted to upgrade to a lunchbox locker. (the small lockers you install in place of your spider gears)
I found in my Blazer (same 10 bolt, same locker - only available in the ZR2), that the locker does not engage early enough, or at_all sometimes. ?It may sometimes work great, only to release a wheel for no apparent reason (I hear this may be speed related though). ?The action was quite harsh, scaring me each time it engaged... I swore one of those times I'd snap an axle or spider gear. ?
I have heard of a few horror stories of G80's packin up shop and going South. ?Supposedly a few that locked while going down the highway, and when the driver got off their exit and turned, something would grenade out back. ?In one case I remember that the rear diff quickly locked up all together, damaging the transmission. ?I've heard of others that don't do anything...
I don't think I put the new Av's G80 to use yet... if I have, I love it! ?Never noticed it!! ?

? I actually spun and dug with all four wheels when I got stuck going up a sand dune a week and a half ago... that's quite odd... I though I'd only bury two... ?
