2000 gmc jimmy/envoy 4x4... transfer case...normal or not?

[sparkie321us]

trying to find out if i have a problem on my 2000 gmc jimmy 4x4, 4.3 v6, 89000 miles. the front drive shaft will not turn freely while in 2hi. was changing my engine oil and checking all other fluids when i found out my front drive shaft would not turn freely. been driving in 2hi. engine off, in park and in neutral, the front drive shaft will not turn unless i put a pipe wrench on it, then it will turn, but barely. no check engine lights or codes flashing or noises. getting ready to make a trip and checking everything. it shifts into 4x4 hi and low and back out into 2hi and sounds good, after lifting vehicle off ground i can spin both front wheels freely, but front driveshaft wont turn freely. should this shaft turn freely or does it stay ingaged at all times, or do i have a problem to worry about. it does have an auto 4x4 button but i dont use it. all my other past 4x4 vehicles the front shaft always turned freely, unless in 4x4 mode. am i missing something, is this normal on this vehicle, any help or comments. the title says envoy, but on the side of vehicle it says jimmy... it a gm product...i thought envoy and trailblazer were the same... thx all

[HARDTRAILZ]

Random...

[Philberto]

I would probably repost this on a s-10 blazer/jimmy forum. I'll leave this up for the Roadie and James to have their say, but then thread goes bye-bye. Best to ask questions where the members own the vehicle you're asking about.

[sparkie321us]

I would probably repost this on a s-10 blazer/jimmy forum. I'll leave this up for the Roadie and James to have their say, but then thread goes bye-bye. Best to ask questions where the members own the vehicle you're asking about.

im looking for other forums to check out...trying all sites to try to find an answer...if its to technical for you i can understand, its a gm product, just trying all sites i can find. just thought with all the gm 4x4 wheelers on here maybe someone might have came across this at some point in time. thx for your looking

[The Roadie]

Our platform (GMT360) first shipped for the 2002 model year. We know our 4WD system very well, but unless somebody owned one of yours earlier, we would have no clue. I wondered if you had disconnecting hubs like early Tahoes and Suburbans, but in an exploded diagram at http://www.compnine.com, I see the designers stuck you with a similar splined disconnect on the passenger side of the intermediate shaft as we have. That implies that the transfer case has disconnect clutches, so the shaft from the transfer case to the front differential should spin very freely in 2WD mode. If it isn't, you need to pull the shaft and see if it's bound up at the front or rear. That will lead you to service or swap out the TC or the diff.

Edit: And of course, we're very jealous you can get 4.56 gears, and a lockrite locker for your front diff. Ours is a new and unique (insane) design with no locker available, and our intermediate shaft goes THROUGH a tube in the oil pan. Weep for us.

[sparkie321us]

Our platform (GMT360) first shipped for the 2002 model year. We know our 4WD system very well, but unless somebody owned one of yours earlier, we would have no clue. I wondered if you had disconnecting hubs like early Tahoes and Suburbans, but in an exploded diagram at http://www.compnine.com, I see the designers stuck you with a similar splined disconnect on the passenger side of the intermediate shaft as we have. That implies that the transfer case has disconnect clutches, so the shaft from the transfer case to the front differential should spin very freely in 2WD mode. If it isn't, you need to pull the shaft and see if it's bound up at the front or rear. That will lead you to service or swap out the TC or the diff.

Edit: And of course, we're very jealous you can get 4.56 gears, and a lockrite locker for your front diff. Ours is a new and unique (insane) design with no locker available, and our intermediate shaft goes THROUGH a tube in the oil pan. Weep for us.

thank you very much for your help...the tech info was what i needed to get to the next step...which will wost likely be a tear down and replace something...the shaft should turn freely and for some reason the clutchs are staying ingaged. thanks again for the support, and a wonderful site you all have here. pretty neat tyvm sparkie