Front Drive Shaft

stomperz71 · Post by **stomperz71** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:13 pm

My front drive shaft turns all the time, even in 2wd. Would that be the front diff. cable is seized up or could it be the vacuum switch on the t-case.

Thanks

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:59 pm

What year and type of S10 are we talking about (Crew Cab, ZR2, Blazer, etc), and how do you know the front driveshaft is spinning while your driving?

I believe the front driveshaft spins slowly even when it's not engaged, but I could be wrong.

I know the front driveshaft in my 05 ZR2 spins all the time, but I have the autotrac t-case which is different than the 233.

Steve

stomperz71 · Post by **stomperz71** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:24 pm

Oh sorry about that its on my '04 S-10 Crew. I was under the truck and noticed that my drive shaft was locked in. So I started it up to make sure I had vacuum built up and check the shaft while it was running and its still locked in. It should be free when in 2wd. Yes I think the Auto-Trac may be different, I have the Auto -Trac on my Full Size Chevy. I'm thinking I had this problem on my '92 S-10 years ago and I changed the vacuum switch on the t-case and it fixed the problem??? But I did go out and check the front shaft on my '92 S-10 and it turns free while in 2wd.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:06 pm

What end is it locked (front diff or t-case)?

If you jack up the truck with the wheels off the ground and put in in drive do the front wheels turn at the same speed as the rear wheels or do the front wheels stay stationary.

That will tell you where the problem is.

If the front differential side is locked the vacuum switch might be stuck or the cable might be stuck because of corrosion (common problem).

If the t-case side is locked you might have a bad encoder motor.

I'm probably missing something else so hopefully someone else will chime in with a suggestion.

Steve

stomperz71 · Post by **stomperz71** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:00 pm

Replaced the vacuum switch on the t-case and problem solved. Got the switch from AutoZone for $16.00 including tax!!

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:13 pm

stomperz71 wrote:Replaced the vacuum switch on the t-case and problem solved. Got the switch from AutoZone for $16.00 including tax!!

Glad to hear you fixed the problem, and now I would suggest reading this.

Revised Transfercase Switch

It's hard to say how long that cheap Vatozone switch is going to last you?

Who knows maybe it's better than the revised GM switch?

Steve

stomperz71 · Post by **stomperz71** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:54 pm

The one I took off looked like the ball on the end was stuck in. The vacuum ports looked to be clean! I bought the last one I got from AutoZone for my '92 S-10 and haven't had any problems with it yet!! I have 353,000 on my '92 and have only had to replace it once so far. And yes I did say 353,000 miles!!!! As I think about it the new one I put on had a color stripe on it I'll have get under their and see what color it is.