4x4 problems

[Rick B]

When I put my 01 3500 into high 4x4 and turn left or right, the outside wheel lurches. It also feels like I'm going over a speed bump on every rotation of that tire. Took it to the dealer the other day and he couldn't find a thing wrong. Says that's just the nature of the beast. Could he be right? I only have 27,000 miles on it and so far only tow a little aluminum bass boat.

 

[Rob Thomas]

First, Welcome to the TDR Rick B



Question, were you on dry pavement? If so then yep,it'll do it every time. If the front tire gets too much traction it binds. If you were not and the tire did slip enough,then possibly a wheel joint is frozen.



Rob

 

[Ted Constantine]

The problem you are finding is absolutely normal in a 4x4. This is because there is no center diff. In an AWD system there is a center diff allowing the two axles to spin at different speeds as well as axle diffs that allow each tire to compinsate for the differnet distances travel in a turn. With 4x4 systems you have diffs in the axles that eliminate wheel hop in corners but the front axle still travels a longer arch in a turn with out being allows to turn more than the rear axle and as a result you get hop.



That is as clear as mud after reading it but I think it answered your question.



Ted

 

[klenger]

The dealer could have explained the situation to you better, but you can rely on the TDR for the correct information.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

What you're experiencing is totally normal in a true 4wd system. With the exception that you shouldn't be doing what you are most likely! You should only have your truck in 4wd on loose surfaces (snow, dirt, mud, sand, etc). The most likely scenario to experience what you're talking about is on dry (or just wet as in rain) pavement. As said above, in 4wd your drivetrain is locked together - when turning your tires have to turn at different speeds. Because they are locked together that isn't possible - so at least one tire (assuming no LSD or lockers) has to be able to spin. With the weight on the front end of our trucks that means dirt, mud, or ice/heavy snow - otherwise there will be some "bucking" (that's the tire slipping on the surface). To get smooth 4wd on less than slippery surfaces you'd have to have an AWD system which allows some slippage between the front and rear drivetrain - NOT what most people want with 4wd trucks.

 

[Rick B]

OK, thanks everyone. I first noticed it coming off a slippery boat ramp that I needed 4wd for, but did not take out of 4wd until after I turned off of ramp. I also noticed when I used to get up our hill after a snow, then turned on to cleared street before taking out of 4wd. Well it all makes sense now. Rick B