4x4 problem???
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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4x4 problem???
Hey guys I just got my power back on since Monday boy this Ice storm really hit us all hard.
I notice when I went to lock my 4x4 on this 99 my driver side tire wouldn't do nothin but the passenger side would spin. What could this be?
Thanks
I notice when I went to lock my 4x4 on this 99 my driver side tire wouldn't do nothin but the passenger side would spin. What could this be?
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Its called an 'open differential'. This effectively distributes the power to the tire with the least traction. A limited slip or locking differential can solve this problem, but on the front end of a truck, can make steering difficult since the truck will tend to go in the direction it is pointed - not necessarily where the wheels are pointed. If you had a hub or 4x4 problem - neither front tire would have turned.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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I just replaced the driver side manual hub and It might as well been left in 2wd because I couldn't go nowhere if I turn my wheels back in forth in both directions it should've in sometime kick the driver side in should'nt it?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I promise, if one hub is locked and the other is not - neither front tire will spin. The unlocked axle will just spin in the hub. The tire with the least traction will always spin. Still doesn't sound like anything is broken. Hope this helps! FWIW, 4wd's with open differentials are just 2wd. 2wd's with open diff is only 1wd. "Limited Slip" differential helps the tire w/least traction by 'biasing' some of the power to that tire by using clutches, etc between the axles. Most of our 4wd's came with a rear limited slip differential and an 'open' front diff. A "Locker" such as a 'Detroit automatic locking differential', actually 'locks' the 2 axles together, forcing both tires to turn, regardless of traction. This style of differential automatically 'unlocks' when cornering by allowing the outer wheel to spin faster than the inner wheel. This keeps tires from 'dragging' since in a corner they are traveling at different speeds...
