Locked Up - Won't Move

[sawmkw1]

I have a 97 Tahoe 4x4 with 180K miles on it that I have only had for about 6 months. Today, I put it in gear and started down the driveway and it locked up, like I had thrown it in park while moving. It will go into Drive and Reverse, I can feel it engage, but will not move. I can give it some gas and it feels like the brakes are on, engine lifts, it wants to move but can't. I checked the rear diff and it's fine, nothing out of the ordinary so now that has a new gasket and oil. Any thoughts on what this might be? Or do I need to get it to the transmission shop?

 

[2016Dom]

Did you check the rear brakes? On my 99 Tahoe 2dr the rear brakes locked up on me, i put it in low lock and broke loose but broke the back plate.

Turned out the pads I replaced where different the the ones i had on my 93 blazer. The Blazer shoes had rivet holes but the Tahoe did not, changed the shoes that had the rivet holes and no more problems.

Also check for groves in the back plate made over time where the shoes ride on.

 

[Doubeleive]

I have a 97 Tahoe 4x4 with 180K miles on it that I have only had for about 6 months. Today, I put it in gear and started down the driveway and it locked up, like I had thrown it in park while moving. It will go into Drive and Reverse, I can feel it engage, but will not move. I can give it some gas and it feels like the brakes are on, engine lifts, it wants to move but can't. I checked the rear diff and it's fine, nothing out of the ordinary so now that has a new gasket and oil. Any thoughts on what this might be? Or do I need to get it to the transmission shop?

jack up the rear end, unbolt the driveshaft and see if the rear diff is locked up or if the wheels spin.
that will tell you if it is the trans/transfer case or rear diff.
if it is 4wd, then check the front as well.

 

[sawmkw1]

Thanks for the quick responses! I've got it up on jack stands so will pop off the rear driveshaft U-joint and see if it is a brake issue, fingers crossed. If it's okay I'll check the front as well. It might be a bit before I get back but will report when I know.

Update: Removed the rear driveshaft and the right rear wheel is locked.

 

[tuckerrnr1]

Sorry you're having issues. Beautiful truck.

 

[sawmkw1]

The right rear wheel was locked, but not significantly. I worked the drum off and there was nothing out of the ordinary, cleaned the drum with BrakeClean, blew out all the rust dust and slid it back on. I put a new felpro gasket on the diff, filled it with oil, reattached the driveshaft and drove it around the block and it felt fine. My brake pads were in good shape but are not bonded and instead have rivet holes. I still have no idea why this "locked up" as I had driven it a couple of days earlier. Do I need to replace these pads with non-riveted ones? They were on the truck when I got it.

Thanks all for your help.

 

[tom3]

Drum and pads? If the rear brakes are drums and shoes take a look at the wheel brake cylinder on that wheel. Pull the rubber boot and look for white built up corrosion. Those will crust up and lock in place after applying the brakes sometimes.