The rear wheels on my General Motors truck seem to lock up from time to time?
Around 1973, General Motors adopted the Eaton gov-lock traction assist differential. This was in an effort to eliminate clutch chatter associated with the clutch and spring type locking differentials. Instead, centrifugal force causes a counter-weight to move and lock the rear differential under wheel slip conditions. This works okay for the average driver and with intermittent use. Normally releasing the throttle for a few seconds will allow the unit to come out of lock-up. In more severe cases the spring controlling the counter weight can break causing undesired locking. Repair is relatively minor as long as it is addressed early. Continued or heavy duty use can damage the unit severely, escalating cost drastically.
