4X4 binding question
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,114
Likes: 1,645
Yes, because you don't have an open differential in the middle.
If you are in 4WD with the front hubs locked in, and go to turn on solid or semi-solid ground, the truck will 'hop' or 'jump,' which is classic driveline bind. It is caused because even if each axle has an open differential, your transfer case is a direct, chain-driven coupling with no differential in it. This means that even if the tires on each axle can spin at different speeds, at least one wheel on each axle will try to turn at the same speed as one wheel on the other axle. If the tires can't slip on the ground, then it's going to 'walk.'
Don't do it too often or too hard or for too long - you WILL break something.
If you are in 4WD with the front hubs locked in, and go to turn on solid or semi-solid ground, the truck will 'hop' or 'jump,' which is classic driveline bind. It is caused because even if each axle has an open differential, your transfer case is a direct, chain-driven coupling with no differential in it. This means that even if the tires on each axle can spin at different speeds, at least one wheel on each axle will try to turn at the same speed as one wheel on the other axle. If the tires can't slip on the ground, then it's going to 'walk.'
Don't do it too often or too hard or for too long - you WILL break something.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
On my 07 with a manual 4x4 system, I would feel binding when the front hubs were locked and I did a sharp turn, regardless of being in 2H or 4H. I always thought the binding was more from the U-joints binding from the extreme steering angle and not from T-Case binding.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 198
This is true. 4X4's with CV joints on the front axle do not bind. A Spicer (cross and roller) type non-CV U-joint does not do well over 3 degrees of angle, why they are still used on front drive axles is beyond me. That having been said there us still some driveline 'fight' between the front and rear axles if there is not a differential in the transfer case, a feature included in most 'AWD' vehicles.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
This is true. 4X4's with CV joints on the front axle do not bind. A Spicer (cross and roller) type non-CV U-joint does not do well over 3 degrees of angle, why they are still used on front drive axles is beyond me. That having been said there us still some driveline 'fight' between the front and rear axles if there is not a differential in the transfer case, a feature included in most 'AWD' vehicles.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 515
The bind is normal and you won't break anything unless you get crazy with the stupid pedal. Most of it is absorbed and dissipated by tire squirm, plus all the driveline components including the t-case have to be able to withstand the load of powering straight ahead with, say, a trailer attached at highway speeds (in CO I tow often in 4hi). The loads exerted by turning in 4wd on dry pavement at part throttle aren't THAT great, you just notice it more from the driver's seat.
That said, it's best practice to avoid tight turns on high traction surfaces in 4wd when possible. That was just Driving 101 from my dad growing up in CO.
Spend some time on Moab slickrock where you've gotta have 4wd due to the crazy stuff the extra traction allows and you'll be less worried. Suddenly your biggest concern becomes not overheating the p/s pump trying to turn on the slickrock with the front diff locked
That said, it's best practice to avoid tight turns on high traction surfaces in 4wd when possible. That was just Driving 101 from my dad growing up in CO.
Spend some time on Moab slickrock where you've gotta have 4wd due to the crazy stuff the extra traction allows and you'll be less worried. Suddenly your biggest concern becomes not overheating the p/s pump trying to turn on the slickrock with the front diff locked
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
The bind is normal and you won't break anything unless you get crazy with the stupid pedal. Most of it is absorbed and dissipated by tire squirm, plus all the driveline components including the t-case have to be able to withstand the load of powering straight ahead with, say, a trailer attached at highway speeds (in CO I tow often in 4hi). The loads exerted by turning in 4wd on dry pavement at part throttle aren't THAT great, you just notice it more from the driver's seat.
That said, it's best practice to avoid tight turns on high traction surfaces in 4wd when possible. That was just Driving 101 from my dad growing up in CO.
Spend some time on Moab slickrock where you've gotta have 4wd due to the crazy stuff the extra traction allows and you'll be less worried. Suddenly your biggest concern becomes not overheating the p/s pump trying to turn on the slickrock with the front diff locked
That said, it's best practice to avoid tight turns on high traction surfaces in 4wd when possible. That was just Driving 101 from my dad growing up in CO.
Spend some time on Moab slickrock where you've gotta have 4wd due to the crazy stuff the extra traction allows and you'll be less worried. Suddenly your biggest concern becomes not overheating the p/s pump trying to turn on the slickrock with the front diff locked
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