Front Differential question.

[Rosco]

I'm confused. If our truck's have an open style front differential why does the front axle bind in 4WD when you turn on a dry surface? I would think since the axle is an open unit it would allow the tires to turn independently of one another which would result in no binding.



Does it have to do with the torque needed to break one wheel loose?

 

[Scrappy]

bind

It is not the front axle that is causing the bind, it is the transfercase. our transfercases are part time, so there is no driveshaft speed variation from front to rear. the front tires while turning have to cover more distance than the rear so you get bind until a tire slips to release it.

 

[Rosco]

jvanwaardhuizen, After I read your answer I felt dumb for asking . I should have know that. I guess that explain's viscous couplings in fulltime 4WD/AWD vehicles.