So plowing the other day when working a pile of snow I noticed the truck hopping around and pulling right. I stuck my head out and nailed the gas, front driver tire was not peeling out. Had one of my shovelers look and both rears and front passenger are spinning like mad. Driver front does nothing. Had it tomthe dealer a few weeks ago and they said the passenger hub was cracked, they put a new one on and said I was good to go. Still have a 3 wheel drive truck... Let me tell you it really sucks and adds a lot of time to the plow route. I'll be at dealer Tom morning at 7 am. I want your guys knowledge to tell them what needs to be done. Also, same trip plowing, strong burnt rubber smell from passenger front. Got a possible 5 to 8 inchs on Tuesday night. Thanks guys and great site

 

The front differential is open. Meaning there is no limited slip or locking mechanism.

If one wheel has traction and the other doesn't, the one without traction will spin. This is normal.

 

You might opt for a selectable locker in the front. Not cheap.

A locked front end doesn't steer well and causes all kinds of driveline stress. Limited slip front ends cause less severe problems, but similar. That's why you have an open diff up front.

 

Ok then. Thanks guys. I've plowing with this truck for 3 years and I guess I just never noticed that. Any clue ins about the smell?

 

Burning rubber:

--spinning tires themselves

--serpentine belt about to fail, slipping

--tensioner about to fail, causing belt to slip

--overloaded or failing alternator causing belt to slip.

--overheated transmission, causing anything rubber to start to cook

--electrical overload or short, especially any electrically operated winch or other device or lights for the plow.

 

Could that burnt rubber smell be burning transmission fluid? Plowing and spinning the tires like that sounds like a perfect scenario to overheat the transmission.