4 X 4 Bounce??
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18
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From: Minnesota
4 X 4 Bounce??
First of all, thanks! I am new to the Diesel world and most of what I've learned about my truck so far I've learned from this site.
I have a 2001 PSD crew cab with a short box. I was out on the lake this weekend ice fishing and was runnig through snow up to the front bumper. Is it normal for these trucks to start bouncing and hopping when they are starting to lose traction? I have had Explorers and Mountaineers prior to this truck and they never did this. Is it the longer wheel base?
I have a 2001 PSD crew cab with a short box. I was out on the lake this weekend ice fishing and was runnig through snow up to the front bumper. Is it normal for these trucks to start bouncing and hopping when they are starting to lose traction? I have had Explorers and Mountaineers prior to this truck and they never did this. Is it the longer wheel base?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,345
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From: NorCal
I've experienced the hopping you're talking about, only it was in the sand. It only happens when I loose traction and try not to get stuck by trying to accelerate.... I was told it's because of my high torque diesel which leads to wheel hop, and it kinda works hand in hand with axle wrap.
Check out http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/axlewrap/ for some more details and definitions.
Wheel Hop: Unwanted or uncontrolled suspension movement in the vertical plane, usually this problem seen most dramatically when a lot of torque is applied to the wheels.
Axle Wrap : Unwanted change in the pinion angle.
Axle Wrap : Unwanted change in the pinion angle.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18
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From: Minnesota
Yeah I had it in 4 wheel drive and the front hubs are in the "auto". Should I have these in the "lock" position? I didn't understand why I would have an "auto" and a "lock" setting on the hubs. I have tryied to play with them but can't seem to budge them from the "auto" setting. I have only had it do this twice and both time were in deep snow and I usually end up letting up on the gas and getting somewhat stuck. I found if I can keep my speed up a little I can avoid the bouncing. Thanks for all of your feedback..
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
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From: Port Orchard, WA
you should regularly spin your front hub locks from auto to lock and back again to ensure they don't lock up in the auto or lock position. Great habit to do while filling her up... takes a couple of moments and you can rest easy. If they are locked in the auto position, you may have some internal problems... Try backing up about 15 feet and then try turning them. They may just be stiff... If that doesn't work, try switching to 4x4 for a few feet forward then back up and put into neutral and switch back into 2x4 and back up 15 feet or more, then test the front hubs... If I screwed up that order, just look in your manual for the correct procedure...
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
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i grew up on a ranch and this is very normal for a truck to do when you go some where where you need 4x4. it may not be all that good for your truck but my 2001 has seen alot of this hard action and there is nothing wrong with it with 148000 miles. but i have not had any problems eventhough i am not afraid to run over fence posts or SMALLER trees and do on many occations.
i believe in using your truck to the fullest
i believe in using your truck to the fullest
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
If you want to wheel hard, but don't want the axle wrap, you can install either a set of kicker shocks or a pair of anti-wrap bars. Either of which are available from most 4x shops. Axle wrap is common on long heavy trucks with mild to high torque and becomes more apparent with light spring rates.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
From: Seaside NJ
Kicker shocks will help control axle wrap, ladder bars can help eliminate it, ladder bars however can break if they are improperly installed or poorly designed, and I have never seen them used on the front axle only on the rear. As for frozen hubs, try tapping them LIGHTLY with a rubber mallet around the outer edge, might help free them up. Good luck
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 79
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From: Northern CA
For clarification, the anti-wrap bars I was thinking of are round bars with heim joints [usually] and they attach on top of the spring packs between the spring plate and the shackle or frame near the shackle. And these can be mounted on the front axle, however, I have never experienced wrap on the front axle and come to think of it Jaymey didn't specify which end was giving him trouble.
Rick
Rick
