Axle Assembly Problems of Chevrolet Avalanche

May 2006 electronic switch replaced because 4 wheel drive was engaging without being activated. Had been to dealership several times with problem and finally had them admit there was a problem. Feb 2008 front wheel drive had to be replaced as it was a possibility that it could lock up while driving. Out of warranty so I had to pay $1,300. 00 in repairs. Contacted gm exec offices and they investigated only to advise they could do nothing because the car warranty 35,000 miles had expired and car had 65,000 miles on it. I think the front end drive was damaged when the switch failed and it took time for it to fail.

See all problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 🔎.

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. While driving 65 mph, the contact noticed white and black smoke through the rear view mirror. The brake pedal extended to the floor when it was applied. The vehicle was towing a trailer at the time of the failure. The contact was able to stop the vehicle using the electric brake controller for the trailer. He noticed fluid dripping from the rear axle, which then caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they determined that a defective pinion seal caused the failure, however, the fire department determined that the failure was caused by synthetic rear axle fluid. The fire damaged the fuel tank, trailer, tailgate and driver side rear quarter panel of the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 12,832. Updated 01-16-08. The consumer stated the rear axle caught on fire. The gas filler tube was also burned. The vehicle had 1800 dollars worth of damage. Updated.

See all problems of the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 🔎.

2002 Avalanche with 81,000 miles at the time of the failure. . . Started a few months ago with a very light hum in the back end. On 12/8/05 made several large clunking noises and died (stopped turning). The garage stated that a main bearing had broken apart sending metal throughout the rear axle and destroyed the drive system. $2000. 00 job to replace the entire back axle drive system with a used one. Mechanic said no reason for that to happen with this vehicle and suggested I speak with the dealer before I had the work done. Dealer did nothing except quote me $3000. 00 for the same repair and same used part.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 🔎.

Rear axle locked up and then blew up inside it's housing.

Front and rear differential bearing failure on 02 Avalanche at 51,000 miles- brought to dealer before total failure. Other similar complaintis can be found in the club Avalanche website. This defect could lead to wheels falling off and catastrophic injury. Gm is aware of the problem but does nothing .

Overtime I kept hearing a whining noise, smell of oil, heat and light vibration from the driveline. At the dealership on a 100, 000 mile total oil, transmission and coolant change (did this at 97,018 mi. 1/2/04). The mechanic did notice a bit of play in the front & rear driveline (drive shafts from transfer case to the front wheel axle case and the rear axle case), some oil leakage on the right front axle, both sides of the rear axle, this was normal he told me. Mechanic found both fine and small pieces of metal in the front 4x4 transmission case, but said this was not a big problem. Mechanic suggested that I should have the u-joints replaced sometime on the drive shafts and this would stop the noise and vibration. At coldwater, mi. (1/14/04), I had to replace a right front hub bearing; mechanic reported to me that he would like to inspect the rear axle for noise. Mechanic found some play in the driveline u-joints, right rear axle and pinion shaft, and some noise coming from the differential. On 1/26/04 I had both rear & front driveshaft u-joints replaced & balanced (fleet pride said there was some play in them). The noise and vibration stopped, but the oil & hot smell stayed. Then the light vibration and some noise (between the speeds of 40-75 mph) started to return in just 150 miles. At 106,606 miles the rear axle started to make a clunking noise and hard vibration then stopped turning at 106,607 miles. I had the rear axle removed and found that the main bearing on the left side of the mechanical locking differential (eaton g-80) had broke apart sending metal through out the rear axle and destroyed axle drive system. I have pictures of the parts & damage to the rear. The front axle is starting the same thing, leaking, hot smell and noise. I have found through your system that they have been having problems and when I asked the dealership about this, they said they are checking into it. Service bulletins 03-04-17-001, 03-07-30-005, 02-04-21-005a.