bigandy

98 burb 1/2 ton 4wd 120,000 miles

every once in a while at slow speeds like turning in a parking lot, it gets real hard to turn like im in 4wd on pavement ( tires bind up and churp while turning) but i check and the 2wd light is on. the 4wd works fine , it switches in between 2wd,4wd auto,4wd hi, 4wd low fine
could the actuator be messed up or is it a auto hub that is sticking? any ideas?

NMguy

I would look at the steering box. If your 4 wheel drive is switching then I don think it's your actuator. do you know if the truck is actually in 4 wheel drive when your turning? I would try to simulate this by putting the truck on the rack. you could test the switch with a meter and check it's wired connections for any corrosion or wires being loose at there terminal. I never tested an actuator but seems like it only a 4 way switch.

You know, I did know a guy that had this problem. turned out it was the switch in the truck. the solder joints failed in the switch itself. so he got a solder gun and re- beaded the switch the solder joint at the buttons, well under the buttons of the interior switch. his 4 wheel drive would go off , then on. then switch by itself. I think he had a 99 suburban. I would check the wires at the actuator, i mean that switch is under the truck on the 98 right? if you can grab an interior switch and actuator from a junk yard. should not be that expensive , probably 20 bucks. at least you try pin pointing the problem form there at worst you have some extra switches and some time lost installing them.

bigandy

I don't know that is in 4 wheel drive when it happens,it just feels like it, the light is on for 2 wheel drive for sure when it happens. the switch is a year old and bought brand new from the stealership.
it operates fine and this only ever happens at low speeds normally when parking. it hasn't done it now in a week or so.