Noob 4x4 question
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 879
Likes: 40
From: Greensburg, IN
Noob 4x4 question
I got my vac hoses replaced and the hubs lubed up a little (didn't do a teardown, but they move from AUTO to LOCK now). So to test my handywork, I put it in 4H and did some low speed figure-8s in the parking lot, looking for crabbing that would indicate the 4x4 was working and the hubs were locking. Previously, the truck behaved the same in 2H and 4H, so I figured this would be an easy check...
But the feedback I got from the truck was not like any 4x4 "crabbing" I'd experienced before. This is my first live front axle 4x4, so I'm in uncharted waters... on an IFS 4x4 the "crabbing" is more like "understeer, but loud"
Is it normal for the steering wheel to get yanked around in low-speed turns with our 4x4 setup? It was moving about 10° almost like the power steering boost was cutting in and out.
But the feedback I got from the truck was not like any 4x4 "crabbing" I'd experienced before. This is my first live front axle 4x4, so I'm in uncharted waters... on an IFS 4x4 the "crabbing" is more like "understeer, but loud"
Is it normal for the steering wheel to get yanked around in low-speed turns with our 4x4 setup? It was moving about 10° almost like the power steering boost was cutting in and out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
Doing figure 8’s on dry pavement is a good way to blow up your transfer case. That feedback you are getting Is due to binding, Either a tire slips or the case breaks, you are playing with fire.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
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From: Media PA
Switch it to 4 High and drive straight ahead for a hundred feet or so, then get out and reach behind the tire and see if you can turn the steering knuckle U joint. If it won't turn then your hub locked automatically as it should, if you can spin the joint you have a bad auto hub. If it checks out bad try turning the hub to Lock manually then repeat the reach around deal, if it locked up correctly it won't turn now, if it still turns then you are going to have to dive into either full hub rebuilds, replacements or manual conversion.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
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From: Southern OH
If your in 4x4 and just one hub was engaging you still wouldn't be able to turn the front axle u-joint by hand with all of the tires on the ground.. To test this you would have to Jack one wheel up off of the ground while it's in 4x4 and see if you can turn it by hand, if you can then one or both of your hubs aren't engaged.
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