Turning in 4wd

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 30, 2006 | 09:04 PM

beeboy

Thread Starter

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 4,191

Likes: 0

From: WA

Turning in 4wd

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?

Nov 30, 2006 | 09:18 PM

Cuda444

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 626

Likes: 0

From: People's republic of MA

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

Nov 30, 2006 | 10:30 PM

PHWLEE

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 1,191

Likes: 0

From: New York

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.

Nov 30, 2006 | 10:35 PM

biz4two

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 5,844

Likes: 6

From: Albuquerque

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

Dec 1, 2006 | 07:53 AM

beeboy

Thread Starter

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 4,191

Likes: 0

From: WA

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

Dec 1, 2006 | 10:41 AM

jim henderson

Postmaster

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 4,968

Likes: 3

From: So Cal

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