Rear End Trouble [Archive] - Chevy Truck Forum

BajaMark

07-16-2008, 04:38 PM

My second generation 1999 Silverado 1500 4wd 5.3L is having some rear end trouble. I first thought it was because my tires were practically bald. I just bought some brand new BFG's A/T yesterday and experienced the same problem. When I make turns at slow to moderate speed it feels like the rear end locks up. Almost like the Anti lock brake system kicks in. The wheels start to churp and stutter and some times makes a loud noise. This also sometimes happens when I first take off from a dead stop. I checked the fluid and it seemed to be full. Im going to pump some more in there for sure, but im worried its a major problem.

Thanks

collinsperformance

07-16-2008, 05:19 PM

before putting any fluid in i pull the cover and look the gear and diff over. you can get a new gasket and oil for not too much. it sounds like you got a bad spider gear or something binding the diff up. the only way to be sure is to open her up and look closer...........mike

MrShorty

07-16-2008, 05:54 PM

Do you have an open diff or a G80 "Gov-lock"? If you have a G80, it is possible that it is stuck engaged.

Pete95Sierra

07-16-2008, 09:18 PM

i would say open her up and check the spider gears over. look around in there, something is not right. something may be wrong with your ring and pinion binding as well

BajaMark

07-17-2008, 12:18 AM

Do you have an open diff or a G80 "Gov-lock"? If you have a G80, it is possible that it is stuck engaged.

Im not sure which one I have. Its a 4wd 99.5 silverado with the 5.3L. Would that be specified in the manual? Thanks for all the help guys I figured something is definitly wrong, but im hoping its minor because the bank account cant take too big of a hit.

Thanks

Crawdaddy

07-17-2008, 07:36 AM

It'd be one of the RPO codes listed on the RPO sticker in the glovebox. It's a sticker with a bunch of 3 character codes like G80. Just look through the list for G80 to get your answer...

phoebeisis

07-17-2008, 11:05 AM

Maybe some of the more expert guys here can tell you if this diff has some limited slip capability? I think they require some special additive ??If it is limited slip , it might be worth a shot.

Luck,
Charlie

collinsperformance

07-17-2008, 05:29 PM

you need to know if you have one before you get the oil. only way to know for sure is open the cover and look. if the cover never been off then look at the glovebox id tag other wise anyone could have changed the diff or even rear end....mike

BajaMark

07-18-2008, 04:45 PM

I looked over my part identification tag in the glove box and i found G80. Is it possible that the gov-lock is stuck engaged. If so how to I disengage it? I dont want to tear her open because I have no idea what is going on in there. I would like to eliminate all the possible easy fixes before I haul her off to a mechanic.

thanks again guys for all your help, this website is a god send!

collinsperformance

07-18-2008, 05:13 PM

sorry to say but if it id the gov lock then you will have to open her up and look at what has failed. i do not have any time on a gov lock system so i can not say what to look for but i bet it will stand out.....broken center bolt or spider gear or clutch disc.........mike

MrShorty

07-18-2008, 06:40 PM

When you checked the fluid, what did it look like? One thing that opening up the diff will do for you is give you a good chance to see if there are metal shavings in the fluid, or any loose pieces broke loose (should be attached to a magnet if there's a magnet in the diff).

If you jack up one wheel and put the transmission in neutral (use blocks to make sure the truck doesn't roll away on you), can you spin that wheel with the other one stationary?

Pete95Sierra

07-19-2008, 04:16 PM

i would think you most likely have a a limited slip diff, probably not a locking dif unless it is a Z71. there really isnt a special fluid for limited slip diffs but amsoil makes a product called I believe Slip-Lock. it is a friction modifier to create less friction in the diff. put this in when you do the change. and there should a be a magnet on the back of the cover or the plug itself is a magnet. as they said look for metal shavings and if you see them your in trouble. you may have to go to the mechanic on this one

BajaMark

07-22-2008, 05:42 PM

Well thanks for all the help but i took it into the shop and the entire rear end was floating around in the differential. Thats what was locking up the wheels when I turned, because the gears would shift to one side, and the clunk that freed it up was the gears sitting back down in the rear end. So Im now 1500 hundred dollars in the hole, but I will have a brand new rear end when its all said and done.

CarGuy 2000

07-22-2008, 05:47 PM