truck is an 03 f 150 with the manual shift 4wd and i imagine automatic hubs as there appears to be nothing to adjust on the front axels

today i was driving in the snow and the truck was slipping a little in the 2wd so i stopped and shifted into neutral threw it into 4wd hich and took off.. it seemed a little like it was dragging but i didnt think anything of it.. well i was looking for an address and came to a complete stop . i then proceeded to start a turn turned the wheel three or four turns to make a left and when i went to start moving it was like it took alot of effort to make the truck move and when it did there was a clunking up front and the truck bucked a tad kinda like you feel when a patch of oil gets on your drive tire on a 2wd... same thing happened when i tried to pull into a parking spot that was on a 45 degree angle to the street on the right from a dead stop..

 

that is driveline torque build-up.

it means your wheels have too much grip on the pavement and that torque is getting pent up in the drivetrain. the wheels hop to release the torque

keep it up and the weakest link will fail...most likely a hub or the u-joint.




don't use 4x4 on pavement unless it's extremely slippery with no traction. go back to 4x2 ASAP.

 

I thought it was good once in a while to run the 4x4 frequently to keep things "loose"

Sorry to hijack.

 

Just as long as you don't turn the wheel too sharp!! If you engage the 4wd just to luburcate the 4wd system, try to keep the wheel straight as possiable for the short time you have the truck in 4wd.

 

do it in the dirt only


never engage 4x4 on the pavement...the risk to break something is extremely high.

4x4 should only be on the pavement when traction conditions are similar to that of dirt/mud...and then go back to 4x2 the second traction clears up

 

I would have said the same thing on an older 4x4...but these drivelines are built pretty darn well...i wouldn't keep it in 4wd on dry pavement....but if its snowy and they haven't plowed well...or its spotty ice....i leave it in 4wd....just don't turn and floor it....