Four wheel drive issue need help
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Four wheel drive issue need help
When I stop and put the truck into 4x4 I hear the clicking of 4x4 engageing. Also on the dash the truck highlights 4x4. I start to drive and it goes, however when I turn the steering wheel all the way to the left the truck seems to clunk and stop, i mean when im stopped with the wheel cranked 90% to the left the truck seems as if the brakes or something is preventing it from moving, when I give it gas I have to give it alot more than usual to get it to move (alot more than when I have it cranked to the right also), when I release my foot from the gas the truck stops quickly. If I go into 2 wheel drive I do not have this issue with turning of the steering wheel either way. What could it be, any ideas?
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Freshman User
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I am why? Ive never had issues with my jeep turning with the 4x4 on hard surfaces. I was going to drive into some snow a little off roading but was discouraged since it seemed to take alot more to move going to the left
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
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I think its a bad CV joint - my 02 does this too so Im taking it easy on it until I feel like wrenching on it. I suppose it will eventually self destruct if you push it hard enough. I'm not 100% certain on my diagnosis, and I haven't even looked at mine yet so I'll be watching this one...but it feels like a CV joint issue.
Also mine does this on dirt/gravel - never tried it on pavement (thats a couple miles away...)
Also mine does this on dirt/gravel - never tried it on pavement (thats a couple miles away...)
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
I don't know what kind of truck you have, but if like a lot of Ford Trucks all is well when locked in 4-wheel drive if going in a straight line (both axles are moving at the same rate) If you go to turn and the wheels can't slip on the surface, the vehicle has no center differential to compensate for the difference in axle speeds in the turn, so the vehicle begins to "crab". Does it also do this in snow or mud? If so then as others stated, look at a CV joint or U-joint if an older model. Good Luck!
Spotty
Spotty
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truck is a 2001 f150 supercrew, I will check in the snow and mud, just wierd that it doesnt do it in 2 wheel drive since the CV joint id think would be spinning also.
It seems like it kinda crabs up, my question then is if its snowy on the highway but some places are clear from snow when I go to always turn its going to kinda lock up? Just seems wierd...
It seems like it kinda crabs up, my question then is if its snowy on the highway but some places are clear from snow when I go to always turn its going to kinda lock up? Just seems wierd...
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
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In 2 wd it will just spin free - not under any load. And it will probly be back to normal after you change that CV joint. Mine started recently, around 80K miles, but we use 4 wheel drive a lot year round due to our road. Speaking of which, time to go plow again...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Minnesota
In 2-wheel drive the front axle is not locked in, hence it is just being "pushed" by the back wheels. In no way is it locked to the back axle via the transfer case so difference speeds or distances in a turn are now irrelevent. Yes, it will crab in a turn coming off a slick surface and hitting dry pavement in a turn. Perhaps your Jeep is "all wheel drive" which has a center differential or clutch pack. That is a different animal than "4-wheel drive". I live in Minnesota where I may drive on shear ice for 20 miles and then hit a dry area for a while. I just hit the button at lower speeds to drop out the transfer case so it won't crab in corners. Hit the button again if it gets slick. I'll do the back up thing once I'm all done with 4-wheel. I've never hurt anything in 140,000 miles!
Spotty
Spotty
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Spotty i guess im not being clear. I can be on dry pavement at a dead stop. Turn the wheel 3/4 of the way to the left, when I try to start out (let off the brake the truck will not move), i have to give it alot of gas to get it to unlock, I can do this over and over with the same results. When I let off the gas the truck seems to stop fast as if the brake was being pressed, Do this same manivure to the with the wheel to the right with no issues, It also seems to kind clunk or grab as I press on and off the gas now that I think of it
My jeep was a standard 2 wheel drive, with selectable 4wheel PT, 4wheel FT and 4wheel low. I never had it do this locking up stuff in a turn. Maybe something with the center diff or clutch pack (i dont know what either is, please explain)
My jeep was a standard 2 wheel drive, with selectable 4wheel PT, 4wheel FT and 4wheel low. I never had it do this locking up stuff in a turn. Maybe something with the center diff or clutch pack (i dont know what either is, please explain)
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Medina TN
In my opinion, Spotty is on the right track. My f-150 4x4 will "crab" on a hard surface in 4l but not as noticeable in 4h. To my knowledge, the f-150 front diff (pumpkin) does not have a clutch pack or limited slip capability like the rear diff has. Just think of it as a positive traction or locker in the rear that is only capable of supplying the same amount of power to each wheel at any given time. They will chirp at low speeds and squeal at high speeds in a turn. Your jeep had a full time 4wd option so it more than likely had limited slip capability, which would eliminate the "crabing". Just my opinion
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
these guys are 100% correct when they say it's normal. i have the same truck and when i first bought it, i took a trip to NJ and decided to "test" the 4WD. she was crabbing and bucking. so i stopped and called my dealer and asked "WTF!"
told me it was "axle torque" i believe and it was normal....that was 6 years ago.....doesn't do it in the snow or when moving, whether slow or fast.
told me it was "axle torque" i believe and it was normal....that was 6 years ago.....doesn't do it in the snow or when moving, whether slow or fast.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: In my House
I'll second that.....All 4x4 vehicles will "crab" or "hop" a little when in 4x4. 4 wheel drive is not made for use when the truck is on a hard surface. when your making a turn, one wheel will need to spin a little more than the other to complete the turn, and when its locked in 4H or 4L, this is not allowed to happen. The ujoints are usually going to be the weakest link in the system. If this is happeneing in 2WD as well, I would have to say that your calipers are hanging up on the rotors. The check the operation of your 4x4, start your truck up in 2wd, jack up one front side and spin the tire by hand and watch what moves....should only be the cv joint axleshaft. Now click it into 4H and try to spin it, you shouldn't be able to move it at all. If you want, switch it back into 2H just to confirm that it does "Unlock" out of 4H and you should be able to spin it by hand once again. I hope this will help you
Regards,
Rich
Regards,
Rich
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