Front wheel drive 05 Tahoe

[454crew]

So kind of odd question here but looking for some thoughts/ input. The trany in my daily, 98 silverado 3500, is on its way out. Found lots of metal shavings in the pan. I need to get our 05 Tahoe here to replace it while I fix it.

Problem is, the Tahoe is 220 miles away and has a rear end whine, guessing pinion or carrier bearings but haven't been able to dig into it yet. My thought was to remove the rear drive shaft, tape off the tailshaft so the oil stays in, and drive it home with front wheel drive. Would remove the rear drive shaft to reduce load on the rear end.

My main concern is the transfer case not being up for that and getting too hot or causing some problem with it. Any thoughts/ input/ experience with doing this would be great. Was planning to trailer the Tahoe back but after seeing the shavings in the pan I'm not risking that.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Check the fluid and stuff in the diffs, trans, and transfer case, do the rear driveshaft like you said, and don't go screaming down the highway and you should make it. Maybe take some 55mph back roads?

 

[454crew]

Wish I could, it's all highway between here and there. Thinking I'll just do 55 anyway and stop to check it every 20-30 miles to start with and make sure it isn't getting too hot.

 

[6872xtc]

I would be more inclined to check the oil in both differentials, and drive it with the rear shaft in it. Take everything to pull thr rear shaft, maybe even pull the spider gears out. But whining could possibly make it farther than just the front pulling.
I have seen rear differentials go a decent distance with no oil at all, so I would gamble it.
Front differentials weren't designed to do all of the work, let alone at highway speeds.
This way, you lessen the chances of having to replace the front diff AND transfer case. As well as fix the rear.

 

[kennyw]

I've seen guys burn up TCase and front differentials driving home from the trails on front wheel drive alone. It would be cheaper to pay a tow truck than rebuild the tcase.

 

[Blue85]

The thing with front wheel drive is that everything in the rear end is still spinning - it's just dragging the on coast side instead of pushing the drive side. So if the issue is a bearing, it makes no difference. If the problem is a pinion bearing or a loose pinion nut, it's possible the gear mesh is worse in coast.

I would pull the rear diff cover to have a look (making sure the truck isn't in park). That's probably the best way to make a decision on the drive.