Thanks Hoffy85. I really appreciate your quick reply. Sorry you had to sell your Tahoe though dude. And I hope you replaced it with another truck or something equivalent? I saw where I can buy a permanent fix for it, just not sure if I was to do it. It's just a large solid shaft with a bolt hex head on it. No wires, but your front axle is always locked it. I am sure it is not good for your front axle or your fuel mileage. But I also saw another fix too. A replacement manual actuator controlled by a cable you run into the cab. You just pull it to engage or push to disengage. Not sure how long they last though.

I have been having issues with a rear axle wheel seal leaking before this happened. It has saturated the right brake shoe and it sticks to the drum causing it to lock the wheel up and a lot of binding on the drivetrain. When the drive train gets put in a hard bind, I was told it will burn the actuator up to protect the 4x4 drivetrain? Not sure how true that is though. Still, I will replace the actuator on Monday as well as the wheel seal, bearings and both brakes. Hopefully this will free up the binding and the actuator will engage the front axle. I pray anyways. Please tell me what you replaced your Tahoe with? Hope you got a new toy to play with.. Thanks again dude. Look forward to hearing back from you soon..
Tim Tanner
Charlotte, NC

 

It seems there was some little trick to replacing the actuator. I do not remember for sure.

We have one to replace soon.

Could you post the directions that come with your actuator when you get it?

I have one here off a 1999 that we plan to re-use

 

Sure, will do, jrsavoie ... I will scan try to scan it and post it, if I can. Will also list any issues with the install and how we had to get it in correctly. Picking up the replacement this afternoon and have other issues to address to, so give me a few day?

 

Thank you much