Selectable Four Wheel Drive (S4WD) Front Axle Description and Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 GMC Sierra, 2008 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2008 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Selectable Four Wheel Drive (S4WD) Front Axle consist of the following components:

Differential Carrier Housing
Differential Assembly
Output Shafts (Left and Right Side)
Inner Axle Shaft Housing
Inner Axle Shaft (Right Side)
Clutch Fork
Clutch Fork Sleeve
Electric Motor Actuator

The front axle on Selectable Four Wheel Drive model vehicles uses a central disconnect feature in order to engage and disengage the front axle. When the driver engages the 4WD system, the Transfer Case Control Module sends a signal to the electric motor actuator to energize and extend the plunger inside. The extended plunger moves the clutch fork and clutch fork sleeve across the inner axle shaft and the clutch fork shaft and locks the two shafts together. The locking of the two shafts allows the axle to operate in the same manner as a semi-floating rear axle. A propeller shaft connects the transfer case to the front axle. The differential carrier assembly uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set to transmit the driving force of the engine to the wheels. The open differential allows the wheels to turn at different rates of speed while the axle continues to transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing when going around corners and premature wear on internal axle parts. The ring and pinion set and the differential are contained within the carrier. The axle identification number is located on top of the differential carrier assembly or on a label on the bottom of the right half of differential carrier assembly. The drive axles are completely flexible assemblies consisting of inner and outer constant velocity CV joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected by a wheel drive shaft.