New to my '03 this winter. I notice then when I have it in 4wd, when I turn the front wheels, it feels like they want to bind. The sharper the turn, the worse it feels. They lurch instead of turning smoothly. Works great in a straight line, but parking in a parking lot it's real bad. This is even on snow and ice.

Is this normal for these?

 

Yep. Perfectly normal. The U-joints on the axle only bend so far. Consiquently, they are binding. If I'm driving in 4x4, I'll drop into 2x4 to park, then if necessary, put it in 4x4 to get moving out of the spot again. Hope this helps

 

Yes, actually they say it is harmful to the truck to have it in four wheel drive in any dry payments. Snow, sand and mud is about the only time you would want to be in four wheel drive.

 

Sounds like you have a "NORMAL" SD 4x4.

If it is not possible to go into 4x2 when parking, then try and make a really really really huge sweeping turn...will help control that bind.

biz

 

Thanks, just glad I don't have to fix anything in the winter

 

Yeah you don't want it in 4WD unless the wheels are slipping. This allows the system to keep from binding up.

Dry or even just wet pavement can lead to more wear and tear on the drive line and tires since each tire wants to turna different amount in turns.

When I expect bad weather, I will lock my hubs but keep the truck in 2WD. When I hit slippery conditions I will then put in 4WD, even on the move if the speed is low enough.

The lurch and binding is your truck saying "Don't do that" and is normal.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Aren"t these turns normal for Super Duties???

 

This is normal for 4X4's in general. I go to 2 wheel drive in my Jeep Cherokee when parking too.

 

I was referring to the large turning radius of SD's wnen not in 4WD