Aftermarket disconnects available

by **The Roadie** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:47 am

Not cheap, and not from Dorman, but they're out there:

http://www.atp-inc.com/featured/axle.aspx

Mentioned first on the OS who had a dead one at only 103K miles, a 2005 with inadequate grease or a failed seal.

Website · by **rgraboske** » Mon May 16, 2011 1:29 pm

Thanks for posting this. Mine failed recently, and I haven't begun to fix it hoping that the Dorman piece would come out. This looks to be about $500. I'll let you know what I find.

by **Zero** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:08 am

What is the benefit of this over the stock part?

by **The Roadie** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:08 pm

The GM parts are available separately, which makes sense for owner/mechanics who can rebuild theirs. But there have been reported spot shortages of the parts, and a couple reports of total unavailability. That, plus the high failure rate, stimulated Dorman to start an engineering project to offer their own, and they've had problems with cost on the housing parts. until they have a complete solution, they didn't want to start offering the internals piecemeal, but I'm still hoping they might.

This isn't cheap, but for some owners who aren't rebuilders, it could get them back on the trails.

I have no data if they redesigned this unit to be stronger than stock, but it appears they didn't do the ONE thing they should have to assure long life: A zerk. But as a sealed unit, anybody who just squeezed in grease willy-nilly would probably just blow out a seal and be worse off, so maybe a Zerk is the wrong solution. You just have to pull, inspect, and regrease it every 50K or so.

Website · by **rgraboske** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:48 pm

When they break, it's not always the same part, so you have a couple of options. Take it apart, figure out what you need, go to the dealer and order what you need, wait, get the parts and put it all back together. A second option would be to just order all of the parts and rebuild the whole thing. When I looked, it was about $600 for all of the parts minus the case. That was just looking online.

My thoughts are, spend the $500, have everything new, and have minimal downtime. Then I can see what the original really needs, and just replace those parts. From there, I either have a spare, or I sell the original, working disconnect to someone who needs it.

Website · by **rgraboske** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:58 pm

Following up on this post. I purchased and install the ATP part about 2 years ago. It failed not long after installation, but I chased some false electrical problems first. After getting completely sick of not having operational 4WD I had a friend with a Trans shop check it out.

He told me he had replaced a lot of these ATP parts, and recommended one he could get from American Axle. It's worked great ever since. I have two broken disconnects in my garage to show for it.

MY Youtube Channel · by **TBYODA** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:52 pm

Here a link http://www.demandaam.com/product-catalo ... ifter-kits

74080001 = AWD, 74080002 = 4WD

Seen the AWD on eBay for $305 free s/h

http://www.ebay.com/itm/74080001-AAM-GM ... 1087829264

by **The Roadie** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:11 pm

American Axle are the goofballs who designed the original one with poor lubrication lifetime and no Zerk. And the front diff. And the 50k mileage transfer case. If I ever met the project manager for that team I'd kick them in the shin.

MY Youtube Channel · by **TBYODA** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:50 pm

The Roadie wrote:If I ever met the project manager for that team I'd kick them in the shin.

If you do make sure you video it.

I guess that could explain why there's is chaper.

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