New '04.5 4X4 Question

[RedRam401]

I love my new truck (purchased 9/10/04) but have a couple questions.



I bought a 4X4 mainly so that my wife could drive the 30 miles to her restaurant in snowy/icy conditions during the winter here in OK.



However, on a rainy day I was showing her how to engage the 4H and then when turning into a parking lot with it on, it felt like the Rt front wheel locked up and the front end just plowed straight ahead with the wheels turned :--)



Shifting to 2H solved the problem and I took the truck to the dealer the next day.



They say that 4X4 should only be used in severe conditions and that the behavior is normal



Sounds pretty screwy to me, anybody else have this problem?



___________________________________

Chuck Colvin

Purcell, OK

'04. 5 Red 3500 Quad Cab SLT DRW 4X4 5. 9L 325/600 48RE 3. 73 Posi

'02 Black Pete 379XHD C15 550/1850 18spd 70" sleeper 270"WB

'95 Blue F150 SB 5. 0/AODE NASCAR Truck look

 

[JohnnyH]

The dealer is correct. You need a certain amount of slippage on the front wheels when trying to turn in 4wd. They all do it.

 

[TSpecht]

What you were experiencing is normal as mentioned. The condition is caused by a bind in the driveline. This driveline bind is caused by turning since now the wheels are travelling a dramatically different distance (front to rear) as you turn, and the front and rear axles are locked together by the transfer case which doesn't allow slippage to eliminate the bind.



Only AWD and full time 4wd transfer cases should be used when the surface you're on isn't at least a little slippery. Continued use of a part time transfer case on firm surfaces can lead to broken axle shafts, u-joints or whatever the weak link in the system happens to be...



Also, as my general (albeit unrequested) driving tip, never ever use 4wd on the ice. My theory is it's the cause of more accidents than it prevents because the average driver will go faster because it "doesn't feel too slippery" and it gives them a false sense of security. Snow is another story since it gets pretty deep but plain ice/freezing rain is the most dangerous substance to drive on that exists and requires extra caution as you no doubt know...

 

[RedRam401]

Well, it's great to get good info, thanks.



I've not done any 4 wheeling before, although in the Pete I run lots of snow and nasties (WI, MN, MI, OH, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, NH... . ) interlocking the drive axles for better traction on snowy icy roads.



I guess there are a lot of tricks for me to learn yet. May have to buy the wife that new Durango RT AWD she wants and keep the truck for myself;-)



Not that it would get much use, being gone in the Pete for 2-6 weeks at a time.



Thanks again,



Chuck

____________________________________

Chuck Colvin

Purcell, OK

'04. 5 Red 3500 Quad Cab SLT DRW 4X4 5. 9L 325/600 48RE 3. 73 Posi

'02 Black Pete 379XHD Cat C15 550/1850 18spd 70" sleeper 270"WB

'95 Blue F150 SB 5. 0/AODE NASCAR Truck look

http://www.coolrides.com/member1

 

[MNielsen]

This is normal when wheels can't slip and turn at different speeds. I found out on a dirt road with remnance of asphalt and almost drove off the cliff.