Posted by Traveler on October 31, 01 at 13:44:26:
In Reply to: Re: bad luck. this is probably the case for me... posted by TomT on October 30, 01 at 22:29:07:
: 2) This sounds a lot like someone who didn't service the crappy 1/2 ton Gov-lock (like me). I never added the friction modifier to my 1/2 ton diff.
You are not supposed to
:After heating up on the hiway, the thing locked and released after turning around the corner. Also, the inside tire locked up as well to add a bit more drama to the deal.
Once it has overheated, the tolerances are gone from metal expansion and it can't work as designed. I don't like spiders anyway.
:After the spider gears exploded, I replaced the Gov-lock with an Eaton unit. If I had it to do all over again, I would have put some sort of locker in the pumpkin as the lousy articulation spins the light side with the limited slip.
The Gov-Lock IS an Eaton. You put in a limited slip posi from Eaton, and found they don't work well in trucks; ie, that's why you had the Gov-Lock to start with. A limited slip only works well when both tires have traction, like a hot rod on pavement. When one tire is on mud or ice, you can't develop any torque to cause the force that compresses the clutch packs. The locker recognizes this and uses a centrifugal actuator that does not depend on torque being developed.
: I can't say much about the tranny. The 4L60E is kind of weak. I've got 130K miles on mine, but the 1st to 2nd gear shift when it is hot under full throttle is very sloppy, so I have to baby it.
It is as strong as GM designed it, but they use it where a heavier trans should have gone. Sloppy shifts will wear it out faster, so a service call or shift kit is needed.
: BTW, when I bought my 3/4T '01 Burb 4X4, the differential service was one of the first questions out o' my mouth.
: It seems as though GM has somehow addressed it now.
Yes, after perturbing many customers because they will not admit they were wrong. Boneheads, but nothing changes as long as the fat cats get their bonuses.
: Good luck and I welcome opposing opinions,
: Tom