How to remove posi traction - Cars & Trucks

4 wheel drive is unfortunately a bit of a myth as in 4 wd any two wheels with no traction will not move you any where
so if you have both rh side wheels slipping,
go no where
left front right rear ,
going no where
the wheel that was not turning was the only wheel that had traction but through the differential action the other wheel spun faster
now with limited slip diff centers , both wheels have to turn as the differential action locks up so yes you would be going some where.
posi traction is the same idea
vehicles that have limited slip diffs are Toyota and Nissan as standard with some Nissans having limited slip diffs in the front drive axle as well
now if you are doing a lot of 4wd driving in adverse conditions , you need to have locker diff centers ( available from off road shops ) as they physically lock the diff actions ( with the flick of a switch) with the result if all 4 wheels are spinning and you are not moving , your stuck but if one wheel has traction you keep moving

ask diff reconditioners shop or off road shop if a limited slip diff center is available ( welding diff centers is not an option as it makes the car illegal on the road and dangerous to handle on a good road surface )

you need tall gears that do not loose traction because of the torque advantage from low ratios as in the switch on the dash. so don't use it in tow mode

as for tires there are special snow tires available with spikes in the tread , special tread patterns

( ask a tyre shop for what would be best)

extra weight over the rear end would help with traction

I would think that wide tires would tend to "aqua plane" as they rode up over the snow but talk with a tyre shop again on that

there may be a diff locker available from an off road shop

Consider changing the entire rear end to get the diff operation that would best suit you

First off I think you mean Posi-traction which means both axles turn with power to the wheels. You remove the axle grease from the rear end draining it then you remove the cover try and do it slowly so that you don't make getting the old gasket off really hard after cover is off you will see the rear end look inside at the pinion gears the axle goes through them you will see how they are held on just remove the pins when putting back together use some axle grease on the splined ends and make sure that the housing and the cover is really clean so that the gasket seals properly ,nothing worse than rear end oil leaking.

i would remove rear cover plate to axle ( pig ) and check for ring and pinion gear or spider gears for broken teeth. Or are you sure it's not a posi gone bad ? i would think that you have a problem with the pinion gear and or ring gear.

If your left front DOES spin in four wheel drive, you may not have a limited slip or posi-traction differential. What this means is, only one wheel in the front will assist, not both.

No. Power will transfer to the wheel with the least amount of traction unless the differential is a limited slip diff. You likely have limited slip (Positraction) in the rear diff so both wheels will spin. The front axle doesn't have posi so only one wheel will spin. (3 wheels spinning)

It is possible, you just have to know what gear ratio you have in your Sierra. I had issues with my son's rear differential and did the Salvage Yard and picked one up for $250.00 with less then 45,000 miles. Remember new cars end up at Salvage Yards also.

Here are the Pro code for the rear ends to your Sierra and you can match one up at a Salvage Yard.
GQ1 -- AXLE REAR, STD RATIO
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSI TRACTION)

HC4 -- AXLE REAR, 4.56 RATIO

Open Your glove box and look inside it. Should be a list of codes on the bottom.
Example: GU6 G80 According to that, you'll have a 3.42 posi

Good luck and keep me posted and call around Salvage Yards, there prices will differ from one to the next salvage yard and don't ask them for a posi rear end. The cost will you more, just search all the SUV's and look at the pro codes in the glove box. Hunt, most awd system SUV will have the G80 rear end.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Block the front tires. Break the rear lugs loose. Jack up the rear of the truck at the center if possible. remove the wheels & brake drums. Remove the brake shoes,return springs & all the other hardware. Remove the differential cover & drain oil. If you have a posi the next step sucks. You need to remove the threaded pin from the housing & remove the axle retaining clips. All the while,being carefull of the spring in the posi unit. If no posi,then same procedure,minus the "pucker factor". After the axle is out,take a large flat blade screw driver or pry bar & pop the seal out. Keep in mind the axle bearing is probably gone too , so that's another procedure. Keep it apart,you'll be glad you did.

Your explanation is stating two different rear end styles. Limited slip and posi-traction. But either way if you have a wheel that won't engage when one slips with limited slip or one that doesnt turn with posi then you either have a broken axle or an internal differential issue which can be confirmed by pulling the rear cover off the diff.

if it a posi traction you need to put additive inside maybe you put oil with additive inside but its not enouht go to part at gm dealership ask posi additve 2 bottle it will work fine after since you said the were no damaged inside HOPE IT HELP FIXYA OUR POST thanks pierre