After a weekend of mild wheeling in Anza-Borrego my front diff will not unlock. Only when I make a sharp left or right turn the inside tire skips. I have tried every small fix I could find here. I did find a 2 year old thread that a poster said-
"BTW there are at least 3 different possibilities on why/how a 3 can get stuck in lock. This thread really only covers one, so it would be hard to say if you had the "same problem". One can be fixed in a few minutes if you know what you are doing, another can be fixed with an actuator (under $200.00) and in less than 30 minutes labor. The last requires the shift fork (which is a cheap part, and only requires partial disassembly)."

What is the fix that can be done in a few minutes DocOlds?
I am taking it to my local shop guy for him to look at tomorrow. Might be looking to upgrade front end if there are any upgrades worth while.

 

Since you have a 2006 h3 your front diff does not "lock". Have you had the plastic shifter fork replaced in your transfercase yet? Do you have a service four wheel drive light? When you press the 4 high open button does it instantly change?

 

Sounds like your T-case is in 4hi lock.

As atv said you have an 06 and there is no locker up front from the factory.

 

I know the diff does not have a "locker" but it feels like it is locked. Like when the limited slip will not disengage. Everything else is normal as far as the dash lights. No errors or blinking DIC. It is at my local shop and his first guess is the TC. He says that because the TC acts like a limited slip due to the 60-40 split. Should know today sometime.
I am ready to do the 100k service anyways and I am looking to upgrade the front diff to the cast iron case. Anyone know of a good supplier for one?
Oh, one last issue, the stupid Passlock gave me headaches all weekend. Time to permanently fix this.

 

Doesn't sound like he knows a what a t case is. 60/40 torq split has nothing to do with limited slip which the h3 don't have.
the shift fork is a good guess. it sounds like its locked.

 

Does anyone have the GM bulletin for the shifter fork? I think it might help for him to see the description of the symptoms. If it was the encoder motor that shifts the transfercase I would think that it would throw a "service four wheel drive".

 

happythree-Yes I know what a T case is, it sits right next to the muffler bearings, re-read my statement, "it acts like a limited slip" I didn't say it WAS a limited slip.

Shop says it is not the front diff. It is the transfer case viscous coupling going bad. Shift fork is OK. Safe to drive but will need a TC soon. So if anyone has the info on either an upgrade or replacement OR knows of another shop in So Cal that HAS worked on these please let me know.

 

Sorry,I didnt mean you i meant the shop didn;t know.
There is no," It is the transfer case viscous coupling going bad"
oops no viscous coupling in the hummer t case.
Listen to the guys who know of the fork problem.

 

The transfercase in the h3 is either open or locked. No limited slip feeling or action at all. Also there is no viscous coupling.... this isnt an Audi. Please click the link and read up on the transfercase internals.

http://www.bettssoftware.com/docs/Hu...se-rebuild.pdf

 

HUMMER H3 ...... "viscous coupling" .... what? NO!

Shift fork, encoder motor, etc. I can see that.