Scotty, I have an 05 Chevy Silverado, Lt, 1500, with a 5.3 liter engine with 38,000 miles on it, the left front wheel seems to hop or shimmy back and forth after the 4wd actuator is engaged in in 4wd high and I’m making a turn either right or left driving under 10 mph, I’ve removed both cv axle shafts, right & left sides, on the bench, removed the outside boots on both cv axles to clean each Rzeppa joint on both axles, inspected ea joint, then assembled ea joint, while packing ea joint with grease, then installing new boots on ea axle, both joints on both axles did not show any slop at all, I then installed both driver & passenger side cv axle shafts then took for a ride. The noise and hop still was happening. What tests are next Scotty?? Or am I looking at a bad wheel hub bearing, tie rod end, suspension control arm or do I still need to proceed forward with this problem as if I have a bad cv axle shaft? I didn’t see any wear on the cv joint what so ever? Please help, between my cancer, crappy weather here in Buffalo New York,Bad parts or no parts this truck problem is driving me insane! Thanks for all you do to help the diyer, we all need some advice from time to time!
Are you driving on dry pavement when you're getting this behavior? If so, that's binding up your drivetrain and making your transmission hate you. Never use 4×4 on a dry road and try to make turns.
#1. You shouldn't use part-time 4WD systems on dry pavement. It's not what it's for. You will get those exact symptoms, and it's really hard on the truck.
Have you ever serviced your transfer case? Is the fluid at the correct level? Is it clean?
If not I would do so immediately, along with the rest of your driveline. These things need maintenance just like the engine.
Also search for related TSB's. There is well known condition for certain model transfer cases, and the symptoms are exactly what you describe. GM calls it "slip-stick". The fix is really easy because you just fill it with Autotrak II fluid and the problem goes away.
