Rear diff shot?

[kbbeckius]

I thought our vehicles used a clutch type limited slip in the rear, but the other day while inspecting the drivetrain (boy thats scary, it sounds like the chain in my T-case is so sloppy that it's dragging against the housing). Anyway, when I turned one of the rear wheels the other spun freely in the other direction? WTF? I've dealt with limited slips before, and mine is acting like it has an open diff? Am I missing something? do our trucks use a goofy limited slip like the gov-lock or is mine just toast?

Thx Brad

 

[bigjohn]

our trucks use a governor type posi set up for the rear end.

 

[Tooky]

What does that mean? Can you explain it? The reason I ask is a non-SyTy friend of mine was saying if I do burnouts without the front propshaft, I will "surely" break the locker because it opens after 20mph, or so he says.

 

[myclone]

The Gov Lok (what GM calls it) uses a spring loaded governor(sp?) to engage both axles. Ive looked it over some and it looks to me like when one axle spins faster than the other the governor "locks" or engages the diff clutches applying power to both axles.

Im not sure but it doesnt seem to dissengage as your friend said. Ive spun mine with an impact wrench on the pinion nut and it stayed "locked". Kinda unscientific but I was curious as to how the whole contraption worked (and Im still not 100% sure).

 

[turboj91]

Mine never unlocks either. Try & push the truck with the front wheels turned - forget it, you will either dent or break whatever you are pushing on, or drop a nut. Rolls perfect in a straight line, but try & turn and then, it acts just like a spool or like an old posi where someone has welded the spider gears. I'm cautious so as not to break an axle. Anybody else with the same symptom or do I need to "get into the rear".

 

[bigjohn]

MYCLONE. you are right on about the gove set up. as soon as traction is lost the rear locks up. as for the front end binding when you turn sharp mine does the same thing. i think it is just the size of the tires doing this. any body else have this problem?

 

[kbbeckius]

So its normal for the differential to act like an open diff when there is no load applied? Like I said when I turned one wheel the other spun in the opposite direction. I'm not real familiar with the gov-lock limited slip diffs, I read a little on them in a magazine once.

Thx Brad