4WD and steering

[Shdwdrgn]

Well I've had absolutely no question about if my 4WD was kicking in this Winter, since rebuilding my disconnect last Fall, but with all the snow I've been doing a lot of driving around in town in 4WD. It seems like it just completely kills all power to the engine if I try to turn out of a parking space (I had to rev up the engine to get it to start rolling), and I thought I heard something rubbing today from the driver's side, but I don't see anything wrong. Anyone else notice this problem getting even worse when changing to lower gear ratios?

[DirtyBacon04]

is there a particular reason you're driving around town in 4hi? It's generally shunned upon...

[mikekey]

Yeah, you should be in Auto in the snow unless you really needed to be in 4 Hi, IMO.

[Shdwdrgn]

Because we have some of the worst conditions today... We have around 8 inches of fresh snow sitting on the ground, and the temps keep coming close to melting so in spots there is a heavy layer of ice underneath the snow, while other places has piles of slush. Most parking lots are either hard-packed snow or ice. I've been switching between 4WD and 4AWD all day, depending on where I'm at, but in the parking lots there's just no escaping the need for 4WD to get moving.

Besides, if its binding up this much on snow and ice, I want to make sure nothing is wrong before I head into the mountains this Summer...

[DirtyBacon04]

it's normal. for me anyways, to occasionally have the binding in full left/right turn situations while in 4hi. I wouldn't say it's much to worry about. Just keep an eye on everything (and make sure you e-brake isnt on).

Since you rebuilt your disco, you've had positive engagment, correct? you didn't forget the fork or anything, right? Have you changed gear ratios?

[Shdwdrgn]

Yeah I was the other one changing to 4.10's at the same time you did. I still haven't gotten a PCM reprogrammed from a factory build, but I do have a VIN if you're interested in trying to see if that trick works for the speedo and everything...

Yes 4WD is definitely working this year. The last two Winter's it was questionable, and I think there were times it didn't actually engage, but its been working completely reliably every time since I did the rebuild.

Also, this isn't in a full turn (which I know you simply can't do in 4WD). This is just turning into and backing out of a diagonal parking space at the grocery store, which should be a fairly gently turn. Seems to work fine on the street, even turning corners, but then I run into something like this where I'm not expecting it to bind up and it does anyway.

[v7guy]

When did we start recommending people use A4WD?

[The Roadie]

I think the ONLY situation somebody described their legitimate use for A4WD mode, was leaving a snow/ice covered side street where you needed max traction, turning onto a main street with patchy traction but mostly good, when there was traffic approaching that you couldn't dawdle and fiddle with the switch as you got out into traffic. Otherwise in parking lots, if it's slippery enough, use 4HI. If it's not, use 2HI and be careful.

[ErikSS]

You gotta be kidding me. The first two people to respond live in FL? haha

I agree with Roadie completely.

Does your power problem become most noticable while turning at slower speeds? If yes, then it is completely normal as your driveline will have some bind in it. On slippery conditions that bind is reduced by the fact that your tires have some "give" against the surface you are on. But the drag and bind will still be there robbing you of a little acceleration.

For the record, I ONLY use 2WD and 4HI on the street because of information I learned on this site.

[ErikSS]

You gotta be kidding me. The first two people to respond live in FL? haha

I agree with Roadie completely.

Does your power problem become most noticable while turning at slower speeds? If yes, then it is completely normal as your driveline will have some bind in it. On slippery conditions that bind is reduced by the fact that your tires have some "give" against the surface you are on. But the drag and bind will still be there robbing you of a little acceleration.

For the record, I ONLY use 2WD and 4HI on the street because of information I learned on this site.

[Moots1288]

When did we start recommending people use A4WD?

Ive never use A4WD, its either 2 or 4. And still with all the snow and ice I havent found a reason for 4WD

[Moots1288]

And I have had the same kid of power loss, but I was in 4hi in 1st gear.

[Shdwdrgn]

Heh I missed that they were in Florida. The worst problem seems to be when turning from a full stop or very slow speeds. Backing up while turning (such as out of a parking spot or driveway) is always the most noticeable. I suppose that's because I'm hitting the gas lightly so I don't go shooting out into traffic.

I guess it makes sense that the issue is a little more noticeable with the different gear ratio. It still just seems 'wrong' somehow that this is happening at all. My previous experience with 4WD was the '83 Jimmy that I drove for several years. Sure it bound up a little if you tried to turn too sharp, but if never gave this same feeling of just not wanting to go... In the Jimmy if you turned too hard the front end would start hopping.

[The Roadie]

. In the Jimmy if you turned too hard the front end would start hopping.

The quick answer is the TB weighs more and has a larger tire patch, so the tire friction is higher. Less likely to hop, unless you're on sand or wet pavement.

[mikekey]

My wife is from Syracuse, NY and my family is from Youngstown, OH. We both know how to drive in the snow.

[JorDaneeKey]

Plowed with a 2500HD and delivered newspapers with the TB, usually before the main plows would come out to clear roads for morning rush hour. I think A4WD is quite useful when attempting to get out of parking lots and driveways, or even roads, that are unplowed and turning onto dry pavement.

[ErikSS]

Just making sure, does the front actuator engage as soon as you turn it into A4wd?

[HARDTRAILZ]

I notice none of this. No power loss or no more difficulty turning than any of the couple dozen 4x4s I have owned.

[Shdwdrgn]

Just making sure, does the front actuator engage as soon as you turn it into A4wd?

Yep, it engages smoothly. I just rebuilt the disconnect this Fall, and the actuator itself has never been a problem. It is definitely going in and out of 4WD as I flip the switch.

[Trail X]

Are you one of those people that turns their wheel while stopped? If I'm stopped or parked, 95% of the time my tires are straight. If you're stopped with the tires turned and expecting to not feel binding when you start moving, no matter the ice or snow, you're going to be disappointed.