Right rear wheel locks up while driving?

Tiny
MARAUDER4
  • MEMBER
  • 1984 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • 6.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I lucked into a retired 1984 Army K20 pickup. There are some things that it needs that I know about and can fix. One problem is beyond me, however. When driving above 10-15MPH, if I hit a bump, the right rear wheel locks up until I stop or slow down to about 5 MPH. Then the wheel unlocks and I'm off till my next bump. I *think* the locker in the rear differential is shot, and found a reasonably priced replacement, but I want to make sure that is the problem. I have not pulled the rear drums as of yet, but there isn't any fluids running around where they should not be. Any help on what I should check before ordering the locker would be appreciated!
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 AT 10:14 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

As far as it locking, I would first remove the brake drum and inspect the hardware. You may have a broken retainer on one of the shoes that is causing the issue.

Also, is the differential fluid full and clean? If you have an internal failure, there may be evidence in the fluid.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
MARAUDER4
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  • 2 POSTS
I drained the diff and inspected everything. The ring and pinion gears were all good, as were the spiders. Fluid wasn't sparkly and the magnet was clean. Scrapped off what I believe was the original paper gasket and RTV'd the cover and refilled. A local guy mentioned the load proportioning valve on the pumpkin might be an issue too?
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

That is good news. If I had the vehicle in front of me, I would likely be checking a few things.

For example, I would Inspect the suspension components. Check for any damaged or worn-out suspension components on the right rear side, including the leaf springs, shocks, and control arms. Look for signs of physical damage, corrosion, or loose connections. Replace any worn or damaged parts as necessary.

Also, examine the brake system. A potential cause of the wheel locking up could be related to the braking system. Inspect the brake drum, shoes, and hardware on the right rear wheel. Look for any signs of excessive wear, contamination, or misalignment. Clean or adjust the brakes as needed, and replace any worn-out components.

You should also check the wheel bearings. Faulty wheel bearings can also cause wheel lock-up issues. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and check for excessive play or noise when you try to move the right rear wheel by hand. If you notice any looseness or grinding sensations, it may indicate worn-out or damaged wheel bearings. In such cases, the bearings should be replaced.

Make sure you don't have a bent axle. Examine the axle shaft for any signs of damage, such as bends or cracks. A damaged axle shaft can lead to irregular wheel movement and lock-up when encountering bumps. If you find any issues with the axle, it may require replacement or professional repair.

Let me know if you have already checked those things.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 7:03 PM

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