Dumb 4WD question

nightdrv · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:23 pm

Ok, so in preparation for the snow coming tonight and tomorrow, I thought: Hey make sure it's in 4wd before you park it, just in case. (I live on a slanted hill, and yes, it helps).

Anyway, I haven't used the 4wd Lock selection since that last huge rain we had (6-8 inches on every road, even a highway)... and that was all driving mostly straight ahead. So, I coast though the lot, and let the 4wd kick in. Go up a drive way, make a u-ey, and back out. Notice: You have to turn full lock in this parking lot.

Why does it feel like it does not want the front wheels to turn (as in forward or backward) when the steering angle is more than a few degrees? Like, massive binding. No noise, just a groan from the motor, saying "uhh, no." It really felt like the front CV's were about to break. Any thoughts would be appreciated. And yes, I did go back and read the manual, which states nothing about 4wd Lock, only talks about 4wd Low.

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:31 pm

4WD Auto, meaning Full Time 4WD?

Are you sitting still while turning the steering wheel and it 'groans' or were you moving slowly?

SilverKK09 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:34 pm

Im guessing you are talking about a SelecTracII
It sometimes does that thing to me... but not always... I think it has to do with the temperature........
I guess I never went deeper into the problem

nightdrv · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:37 pm

I apologize for my idiocy. I meant 4wd Lock. (Fixed post btw). Yea, this only happens doing 1-3mph. You know, just pulling in a parking space. Oh, and you can watch the front end lower about an inch, depending on which way you're turning.

If someone smarter than me says "That's just the way 4wd is", then I'll not bother anymore. Otherwise, I just wonder what might be going on underneath.

Sartori · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:04 pm

nightdrv wrote:

I apologize for my idiocy. I meant 4wd Lock. (Fixed post btw). Yea, this only happens doing 1-3mph. You know, just pulling in a parking space. Oh, and you can watch the front end lower about an inch, depending on which way you're turning.

If someone smarter than me says "That's just the way 4wd is", then I'll not bother anymore. Otherwise, I just wonder what might be going on underneath.

Sounds to me like you don't have Selec-Trac, and if thats the case, yes it will bind up turning sharp on dry pavement.....

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:06 pm

In part time 4wd(non-selectrac t-case) the F/R driveshafts are forced to turn at the same speed to matter what.Now on hard dry surfaces(and wet pavement) you will experience binding when turning due to the front and rear diffs are geared just lightly different so the front diff is spinning just a tad bit faster then the rear to help maintain forward direction in mud.

nightdrv · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:26 pm

good enough for me.. yes, I have the CommandTrac2

unclejjg · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:32 pm

SilverKK09 wrote:

Im guessing you are talking about a SelecTracII
It sometimes does that thing to me... but not always... I think it has to do with the temperature........
I guess I never went deeper into the problem

Silver,

I've got to ask...have you ever driven a vehicle that had a "part-time" 4x4 system engaged? You really shouldn't be experiencing much "binding" with the Selec-Trac. I have it, and while I might have to admit that there is more feedback than a 2WD vehicle when turning, I don't think what you are experiencing is binding. If you are, then I would be inclined to think there is something wrong with your 4WD.

stratamet · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:44 pm

I'm in Lake Ridge (10 mins south of you) and we are only supposed to get 1 inch of snow. If the KK can't handle that, we are in trouble. lol

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:48 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

In part time 4wd(non-selectrac t-case) the F/R driveshafts are forced to turn at the same speed to matter what.Now on hard dry surfaces(and wet pavement) you will experience binding when turning due to the front and rear diffs are geared just lightly different so the front diff is spinning just a tad bit faster then the rear to help maintain forward direction in mud.

You're saying the front and rear differentials actually have a different gear ratio?

My 6-speed has a 3.21 gear ratio... what is the front then?

nightdrv · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:40 am

stratamet wrote:

I'm in Lake Ridge (10 mins south of you) and we are only supposed to get 1 inch of snow. If the KK can't handle that, we are in trouble. lol

lol - it wasn't the snow I was worried about. It was the ice in the parking lot. As it is a sloped hill (sideways) I see people always trying to back up, but always slide into the car next to them, on the down side. So, 4wd helps when it gets icy.

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