Cold weather rearend problem

[atgreene]

When I pulled out of my driveway this morning, 3 lug nuts/studs sheared off. Acted like the truck was posi-locked. It has been between -15 -20 the last few nights, and hadn't used the truck. Had the sander and 1 yard of sand on-board. Pulled the rear axle and drum, everything looks ok, but still acts locked, took the tire off without setting the parking brake. I'm going to change all the studs etc.. and convert to synthetic oil.

Any suggestions on checking for other problems, or just rack it up to cold weather?

Ever had this problem? Anytime it is cold, the rearend acts like it wants to posi-lock, but as far as I can tell its not a posi.

1998 chevy diesel, 6.5 turbo with 8800lb rears.

Thanks.

[BWhite]

with these temps syn fluids make sense . Do you think the rear end contains water . Has the truck been driven thru deep water ?

[atgreene]

No, there was no water. I tore it down and drained it. Just starting to reassemble. Sent my mother to Napa to get new studs, seals etc... Napa didn't include the lug nuts! :headwall
There was some metal in suspention, but nothing unusual. There is some surface rust here and there, from moisture, but again, not bad. Headed back out to reassemble, let you know how I make out.

[Joey D]

Look in the glove box at the rpo #'s and see if it has G80 as one of them, thats the locker code. It's possible something is bad inside the rear diff. The good thing is the assembly is very easy to remove and look at.

[atgreene]

Thanks, I'll check.

[Chuck Smith]

I'll tell you what, it has only been around 0° F here, and it feels like I am driving with the emergency brake on a few clicks. With a 4 banger I really feel it. I miss my V8, but not the fuel consumption. It has not been this cold around here for 6 years, and it is very apparent when driving out first thing in the morning. Lots of strange suspension noises too. The steering is harder too. Though I didn't break anything, I can notice a big difference in the cold. FWIW.

~Chuck

[atgreene]

Wed. they are predicting highs of -15 to -5, lows of -30 to -40 with 20-40 mph. I think its time to leave the diesels idleing for the night. Hopefully, nothing else breaks.

[wyldman]

No need to leave the diesels idling,if you have block heaters,and can plug them in.

If you are going to idle them,make sure you idle them up somewhat,or they will not build enough heat,and you can do more harm than good.

[atgreene]

Sometimes, depending on how far I have to run a cord, its easier to leave them running.

So far no problems with it since I fixed it. Tomorrow AM will be a real test, expecting -20 below with winds 25 to 30 mph. Currently -10 and dropping. I'll see how it does when I leave in the morning, and see if it acts like its posi or not.

[76chevyman]

Thank you wyldman A LOT of people dont realize ideling a diesel is bad. Thats not its operation range. Thats why at a truck stop you hear the truck idel up. If you idel it its more harm full then it sitting in the cold. The engine was made to run above 1 grand. Gas engiones u can idle all day BUT THEY WERE DESINGED THAT WAY . Diesels where Designed to work. Not sit. So yes idle it up. Thats also why in boats some customer have a pleasure craft. and just put around the harbor and then just sit and idle. And they wounder why the engines dont last compared to a person that takes the boat out on a trip. And gets years and years of use.

Rich:burnout