Hello, i have a 02 chevy avalanche and the front drive shaft doesn't spin

[MUNSON]

freely in 2wd. any idea?
yes everyting is connected. auto,4hi, 4low an 2wd all work. I could check the fuses... Im thinking its the axle actuator no disengaging or something. Prolly y i dont get good gas mileage

 

[pat]

You will not be able to turn the front axle by hand when it's on the ground. Reason being it always remains connected to the front diff. When you're in 2wd, the transfer case is not putting any power to the front driveshaft but it'll still be turning when you're driving down the road due to the fact it's being spun by the front diff. This is why you can engage 4Hi when you're driving down the road. The easiest way to tell if it's not disengaging from 4Hi is if you get into some dirt and get your friend to watch when you give it enough gas to get some wheel spin... if it's in 2Hi only the rear will spin and the fronts won't.

Let me reiterate that the front driveshaft doesn't spin freely because it's always "connected" and engaged to the front differential.

 

[basil_ramirez1414]

check your fuses if it blew when the 4x4 was on it cant retract its self with no power

 

[JetDoc]

The front drive shaft is still connected to the front axle and front wheels.