I just recently got a 99 silverado z71 stepside. and when i got it the dealer told me the 4x4 didnt work. well i get it home and start checking it out. i have the push button t case, and when i put it in 4hi 4lo or auto4x4 the light will blink and stay solid and you can feel it go into 4x4 or atleast hear it. but when i give it gas i dont feel any traction in the front tires. when i take sharp turns i cant feel the tires grabbing or anything..? ive had it in snow and the front tires wouldnt spin. I checked the front actuator and it was engaging when i pulled it out and tested it. not throwing any service 4x4 codes either? any ideas at all

 

Jack up the front of the truck; key on, ENGINE OFF, in 4x4.

Spin one front wheel. The other should spin backwards.

Hollar back with what you find?

Allan

 

Hey i wont have a jack until tomorrow but i put it in 4lo and its super torquee, does that mean the 4 wheel drive is working?

 

No, all that means is the tx case shifted to lo gear and transfers power to front drive shaft to the front differential. If your not getting the wheels to engage pull out actuator and check that it does actually work, ignition on, engine off in neutral and push 4hi. The actuator has to be strong enough to hold in the axle to carrier coupler. While jack up use a screwdriver and push in where the actuator goes and see if the wheels and front drive shaft lock up. One front wheel should be locked.

 

I just put a new actuator in, tomorrow i'll have a jack. but when i jack up the front end your telling me one tire should spin and the other should be locked or what?

 

Engine off and the transmission in Park (to hold the driveshaft from turning).

One wheel should spin opposite the other. If it doesn't, you may have a front axle problem.

Allan

 

I am having the same problem with my 2000 jacked mine up all 4s off the ground, and they'll all turn in 4hi and lo but I threw a block under both front tires and they stopped turning. mashed the gas hard and nothing. front drive shaft wouldnt turn. so its putting some power down but not much. no strange noises in anything either

 

I jacked up the front end and when i spinned one tire the other went opposite.. so i cant seem to find out whats wrong

 

Did you check to make sure your hubs were engaging?

 

how do i do that?