Hi guys,
I've searched the forums and found nothing so if anybody can shed some light on this it would be appreciated.

When I go around sharp corners at low speeds in 4x4 (or just have the wheel turned a bit) the truck has a shudder from the front end and it feels like there is no power getting to any of the wheels. Its almost the same feeling you'd get in a solid axle when the gears are missing some teeth, like it catches then goes and it gets worse the more the wheels are turned.
This doesn't happen in 4x4 auto, but on occasion when I've had the rear end lose traction in the snow getting out of the driveway there is a really hard bump when the 4x4auto engages the front axle.

Anybody have something similar happen or have any guesses what might be the issue? The guys at the dealership checked out the front end a couple months back when the truck was in for one the transmission tsb's and didn't find anything, but I've never experienced this with any other 4x4.

Thanks

 

If this is happening when you arent on a slick surface, it is normal. When the front and rear axles are locked together through the t-case, you will feel (sometimes significant) binding as the truck tries to keep all four wheels turning at the same speed when you are turning the steering wheel. 4x4 should never be used on hard, non-slick surfaces because driveline damage can result.

As for the bump in 4-auto, that sounds normal too. If your rear wheels really break loose and start to spin fast, the front is gonna bump pretty good when it engages. Its not an instantanious system, it takes some rear wheel spin before it'll do its thing -- and when it does, again, its trying to make both axles turn at the same speed. The 4-auto setting 'can' be used on dry, hard surfaces because unless the rear wheels are breaking loose, so there is no power going to the front axle to cause the binding you experience in 4-high.

Good luck!

 

Thanks! Excellent explanation!