Rear axle
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Rear axle
This may seem like a naive question, but I was experiencing what I thought was my 4 wheel drive staying engaged up front, so today I lifted off all four ties and put if in drive and watched the back two tires spin and just for good measure, I rotated the front tires to see if they were engaged. They were not.
My question is it typical for Broncos to be two wheel drive?
My question is it typical for Broncos to be two wheel drive?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
The Bronco was always equipped with a part-time 4-wheel-drive system. Under normal dry driving conditions the truck is rear-wheel drive only. When the transfer case is engage in 4 high, all four wheels should engage. (If you have manual hubs you need to lock them before this will happen). When 4 low is engaged the same thing occurs but with a reduction in gear ratio to increase engine rpm's. This gives more pulling power at lower speeds for climbing and crawling over things.
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Yes and No.
-If has an open differential, both wheels will spin all the time, when you are driving strait. When you are turning the out side wheel will turn faster then the inside wheel.
-If you have a limited slip differential, both wheels will spin going straight, untill there is a traction differance between the two wheels, then the one with more traction will recieve more power. Turning a limited slip acts like an open differential.
-Open differentials and limited slips were the only types availble from the factory, but its is possible a PO could have put a locker in, if your bronco has seen routine offroad use. A locker does just that, the two rear wheels are baiscly locked together, and spin at the same speed all the time. If you had a locker you would know, because you would here it clicking as you turned a corner on the street.
I hope my explaination help, if not try this
HowStuffWorks "How Differentials Work"
-If has an open differential, both wheels will spin all the time, when you are driving strait. When you are turning the out side wheel will turn faster then the inside wheel.
-If you have a limited slip differential, both wheels will spin going straight, untill there is a traction differance between the two wheels, then the one with more traction will recieve more power. Turning a limited slip acts like an open differential.
-Open differentials and limited slips were the only types availble from the factory, but its is possible a PO could have put a locker in, if your bronco has seen routine offroad use. A locker does just that, the two rear wheels are baiscly locked together, and spin at the same speed all the time. If you had a locker you would know, because you would here it clicking as you turned a corner on the street.
I hope my explaination help, if not try this
HowStuffWorks "How Differentials Work"
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Nice, and if I may add one tidbit to Dave's comment about the locker, having a locker engaged on dry pavement will be readily evident in the scuffing of the rear tires since they will both be trying to turn at the same rate even when you turn a corner because they are "locked" together.
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OK, I jacked the Bronco again tonight and spun both rears tires in neutral. The right rear tires spins forward, but will not spin backwards. The back rear left tires will spin forward and backwards. The reason I ask this question is seems I get a bit of roar and vibrations from the rear. It seems it is coming from the rear axle and I can't help but think there is an issue with it, but I can't seem to pinpoint.
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First, BroncoBuddy I think you very well may have an issue with your diff. I havent heard of a problem with your symptoms.
Second, Drunkdave what you discribe as a limited slip is an open diff. A limited slip will resist the two tires turing at differnt speeds. If the clutches are in good shape, they will neerly lock when you apply enough throttle.
Third, I have a locker (Powertrax) and it makes no clicking sounds or tire scuffing on pavment. Under normal driving, you wouldnt know the differnce. Modern lockers allow for some veryation of tire speed and the only time they "lock" is when turing very sharp or stoumping the throttle. The biggest differnce between a good limited slip and a locker is that under no conditions will the locker equiped diff allow one wheel to stop while the other is spinning.
Second, Drunkdave what you discribe as a limited slip is an open diff. A limited slip will resist the two tires turing at differnt speeds. If the clutches are in good shape, they will neerly lock when you apply enough throttle.
Third, I have a locker (Powertrax) and it makes no clicking sounds or tire scuffing on pavment. Under normal driving, you wouldnt know the differnce. Modern lockers allow for some veryation of tire speed and the only time they "lock" is when turing very sharp or stoumping the throttle. The biggest differnce between a good limited slip and a locker is that under no conditions will the locker equiped diff allow one wheel to stop while the other is spinning.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Lets make certain that the truck is in park when we check these things guys. Not just for safety but because if the driveshaft can move it really doesn't allow the test to be accurate.
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Second, Drunkdave what you discribe as a limited slip is an open diff. A limited slip will resist the two tires turing at differnt speeds. If the clutches are in good shape, they will neerly lock when you apply enough throttle.
I stand corected.
I stand corected.
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From: St Louis
What year of bronco?
The 78-79 broncos did come with a full time 4wd as well as the F150/f100. So the bronco has always been 4wd when sold in the US is a better statement. If he has an open diff, and the drive shaft is kept from moving then when he spins one wheel the other should spin in the oppisite direction. If it has a locker or limited slip he should not be able to spin the wheels when he has the driveshaft in the locked position. If he can spin one tire freely while the other only spins freely forward then there is a problem. Depending on the axle will be how you can separate it and find out if it is a spider gear problem or just a general diff ready to explode problem.
The 78-79 broncos did come with a full time 4wd as well as the F150/f100. So the bronco has always been 4wd when sold in the US is a better statement. If he has an open diff, and the drive shaft is kept from moving then when he spins one wheel the other should spin in the oppisite direction. If it has a locker or limited slip he should not be able to spin the wheels when he has the driveshaft in the locked position. If he can spin one tire freely while the other only spins freely forward then there is a problem. Depending on the axle will be how you can separate it and find out if it is a spider gear problem or just a general diff ready to explode problem.
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