Possible damage (4x4 on pavement)
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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Possible damage (4x4 on pavement)
I got no response in the 97-03 F150 forum, so I'll try my luck here. Any opinion is appreciated.
I loaned my truck to a co-worker the other day and he must have started messing with the dash mounted 4x4 switch and he got the TC in 4low while the truck was on asphalt. He didn't know how to get it out of 4low, and he didn't know that this was a no no to drive on asphalt while the truck was in 4x4. He told me he drove for "a few miles until he got tired of hearing the engine scream." He said that he then stopped and figured how to shift back to 4hi. Needless to say I am not very pleased with this guy at the moment. I got my truck back today and it seems fine, but I am concerned that he did some serious dammage that will show up in the future. Does anyone have any comments on what driveline components he may have damaged, and how I can check them. My truck is a '03 7700.
I loaned my truck to a co-worker the other day and he must have started messing with the dash mounted 4x4 switch and he got the TC in 4low while the truck was on asphalt. He didn't know how to get it out of 4low, and he didn't know that this was a no no to drive on asphalt while the truck was in 4x4. He told me he drove for "a few miles until he got tired of hearing the engine scream." He said that he then stopped and figured how to shift back to 4hi. Needless to say I am not very pleased with this guy at the moment. I got my truck back today and it seems fine, but I am concerned that he did some serious dammage that will show up in the future. Does anyone have any comments on what driveline components he may have damaged, and how I can check them. My truck is a '03 7700.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
yes if it is for a short period of time, even on dry pavement. what kills 4wd on hard ground is when you steer....if you were to drive straight you could drive in 4wd all the time and not worry about it, in fact during drag races and such, most guys (esp those with diesels and a lot of acceleration power) will use 4x4 to get more power to the ground instead of doing a burn out or wheel hop.
basically when you go into a turn your front wheels are going to wanna go different speeds then your rear tires. when this happens all 4 tires try and play catch up....hopefully your tires will give (and that's what makes the chirping sound), but if your tires are high traction and won't give then something else in the drivetrain will....components like u-joints, axle shafts, t-case chain (newer styles), axle joints, hubs, etc etc will go....the first is usually your u-joints and then hubs, but you get my point
-cutts-
basically when you go into a turn your front wheels are going to wanna go different speeds then your rear tires. when this happens all 4 tires try and play catch up....hopefully your tires will give (and that's what makes the chirping sound), but if your tires are high traction and won't give then something else in the drivetrain will....components like u-joints, axle shafts, t-case chain (newer styles), axle joints, hubs, etc etc will go....the first is usually your u-joints and then hubs, but you get my point
-cutts-
Last edited by fishmanndotcom; Sep 1, 2004 at 09:02 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
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From: central ohio
i have used my 4wd on wet pavement when it was near freezing, but i would turn it off before making any turns to avoid driveline binding. im also hesitant to get new tires for winter because my current tires though half worn down still work fairly well and id rather chew away tires then get a grip and break something in the driveline. 2 wks ago i replaced my front axle u-joints and i hope i never have to go through that mess again, the spindes were absolutely frozen with rust into the steering knuckle. i ended up buying a big dead-blow hammer and just beat the tar out of it one side then the other and they finnally came free.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using 4wd on pavement . . . even dry pavement. It does put more stress on drivetrain components and will likely wear your tires faster but it will not damage your rig.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Shreveport, LA
How can you guys say there's no problems with running on dry pavement in 4wd? Your front and rear ratios are different, so eventually youre going to start binding some things up.
If the tires are half way decent, they arnt going to allow the binding to be relieved. Going straight or otherwise causes binding in all rotating masses, short of the engine!
But, I agree that its unlikely that anything negative happened, unless your friend reported hearing something snapping.
If the tires are half way decent, they arnt going to allow the binding to be relieved. Going straight or otherwise causes binding in all rotating masses, short of the engine!
But, I agree that its unlikely that anything negative happened, unless your friend reported hearing something snapping.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by psychlopath
How can you guys say there's no problems with running on dry pavement in 4wd? Your front and rear ratios are different, so eventually youre going to start binding some things up.
If the tires are half way decent, they arnt going to allow the binding to be relieved.
If the tires are half way decent, they arnt going to allow the binding to be relieved.
there is nothing wrong with driving the truck a few miles on dry pavement and will NOT harm anything while in 4x4. after a long period of time yes things will wear out real quick. and on the gear ratio issue....the difference is so small that the tires will make up for it. the tires will not be exactly the same size.
-cutts-
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
Tires will not be exactly the same size? So youre saying that some how the tires will automatically make up for the difference in ratio? Yes, metal is harder than rubber. But, have You ever had a tire lift off the ground, spin and then catch some traction? Does it softly absorbe the momentum of the spinning? Naw, you can brake some u-joints or axle shafts.
The rubber is softer, but has plenty of grip. If you drive in 4x4 on pavement, you'll eventually notice a little resistance. Put your vehicle in neutral then and it'll roll backwards. What's this from? The binding that's being relieved in the drive train. Try putting the transfer case in neutral with all this binding in there and you wont be able to move the stick.
Anyhow..I think I had a po int. But, unfortunatly I'm pretty intoxicated at the moment. Tomorrow I'll come back and clear all this up.
oh yah, do you drive with your vehicle in 4x4 all the time?
anyhow..I'll post this now and be embarassed later.
-Dave, the drunken
The rubber is softer, but has plenty of grip. If you drive in 4x4 on pavement, you'll eventually notice a little resistance. Put your vehicle in neutral then and it'll roll backwards. What's this from? The binding that's being relieved in the drive train. Try putting the transfer case in neutral with all this binding in there and you wont be able to move the stick.
Anyhow..I think I had a po int. But, unfortunatly I'm pretty intoxicated at the moment. Tomorrow I'll come back and clear all this up.
oh yah, do you drive with your vehicle in 4x4 all the time?
anyhow..I'll post this now and be embarassed later.
-Dave, the drunken
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
yes i have lifted many a tire up and have them come down spinning fast.....to my side of the luck box i have to snap an axle or joint. you are correct the drivetrain does bind but i believe i pointed that out in my original post. not to mention we are talking about a STOCK truck being driven down the hwy not but a couple of miles.
i do not drive my truck in 4x4 b/c my front diff is welded and it is almost physically impossible to turn her on pavement
i have made my point and refuse to discuss this any further with you...B_7700_4x4, if you have any more questions I would happy to answer you without having to get drunk and try to pick fights.
-cutts-
i do not drive my truck in 4x4 b/c my front diff is welded and it is almost physically impossible to turn her on pavement
i have made my point and refuse to discuss this any further with you...B_7700_4x4, if you have any more questions I would happy to answer you without having to get drunk and try to pick fights.
-cutts-
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by psychlopath
If you drive in 4x4 on pavement, you'll eventually notice a little resistance. Put your vehicle in neutral then and it'll roll backwards. What's this from? The binding that's being relieved in the drive train.
During driving any small amount of binding will be relieved when you steer, unless of course you have a locked front end. I'm not saying you should drive around in 4wd but people always flip out about trucks being driven on dry pavement in 4, thinking it'll do damage. It won't hurt a thing.
Btw, don't drink and drive.
LOL