4WD Turning Issue

[BinaryData]

Hey Gents,

It seems as if this truck has had more problems than my 79 Ford F-150. Thankfully I can junkyard most of that trucks parts. Here's what's going on.

Last night, I was taking a right-hand turn into the parking lot of an O'Reilly's Part store. A small vehicle was approaching, and they wouldn't move, at all. I was halfway turning in, and I had to crank the wheel hard to the right to be able to let him out. Typical Driver where I live. Anyways, I totally forgot I was in 4WD, and when I went to take a left to continue to park, I noticed that the steering acted super funky. If I take a right now, it struggles, and I feel a lot of resistance. The trucks retires feel like they are still stuck in 4WD, and they slip some, even on dry pavement. I have no problem with 2WD. There was snow on the ground, not much, but it was enough to cause people to slide around.

One of my buddies, and my younger brother, suggested I get an alignment. I might've tweaked the alignment when I did that. Can anyone else think of something I should check?

I live in Washington State, not having 4WD is awful. We currently have snow on the ground, albeit, not much but it does cause problems. Tomorrow we're supposed to get 3"+ of snow. I work on a farm on the weekends, and I end up hauling hay a lot. I just started doing this last weekend, I moved an empty trailer to be filled up this weekend. I'm not a mechanic, I won't lie, I'm freaking out. I can't afford any major repairs right now, I just pulled myself out of debt, and I've got my previous car loan paid off, so I'm trying to stay above water this year. I have been meaning to take my truck in for an alignment, and have Les Schwab check it out. Hoping it's something that can be done in a day.

 

[huntergreen]

You shouldn't be using 4 wd on dry pavement. Sounds like this is your issue.

 

[BinaryData]

You shouldn't be using 4 wd on dry pavement. Sounds like this is your issue.

There was snowfall last night, and the roads were craptastic due to fresh snow. Normally I don't use 4WD until I start to slip/slide around. Where I live/work is about 35 - 40 miles away, and it's a treacherous drive in the snow.

 

[huntergreen]

Missed that in the opening thread.

 

[BinaryData]

Missed that in the opening thread.

Sorry, I'm bouncing between work, and the Forums. When I get off work, I feel so drained I can't think. Generally just pass out, haha. Thanks for the response. I'll add it to the beginning of the post.

 

[MADDOG]

If it was feeling like it was slipping or the truck was rolling over the tread blocks and squirming around that's normal. You'll feel it more on dry pavement but you get a little of that even in snow in hard turns.

Once it dries out a bit, go to a parking lot and put it in 4WD. Then do some low power moderate figure 8's and circles. You should be able to feel it and it's caused by some minor drivetrain binding. It's common on 4WD trucks with posi-traction/LSD differentials. It is also why they recommend you do not drive in 4WD mode on dry pavement.

 

[Joes1500]

I'm with MADDOG

 

[BinaryData]

Alright. I'll try and grab some audio some time as well. My brother says it does sound odd, but he knows next to nothing about anything after 96. He's stuck on the "old is better than new" band wagon.

I'm taking it in for an alignment some time, and I'll eventually take it into a shop, and give it a thorough looksie. I'd hire one of you guys, but I highly doubt any of you live in Central Washington.

 

[MADDOG]

Nope, I'm not for hire. I'm not too far away from ya, though.

 

[BinaryData]

Nope, I'm not for hire. I'm not too far away from ya, though.

Haha. All good, I'll be passing you on my motorcycle soon enough.

Speaking of alignments, I just called Les Schwab, is it normal to do a Front End Alignment only, and ignore the back?

 

[MADDOG]

I prefer doing a thrust alignment because your truck is RWD but some shops will offer a front only adjustment if there was specific front end suspension work done.

If that's not the case with your truck I'd suggest the full alignment.

If you see me driving this, have fun trying to pass me...

 

[BinaryData]

I'll be riding a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 or a 2003 Yamaha V Star Classic 1300.. I don't touch crotchrockets. I'm 6'6", 375lbs. When I can walk and sit on the bike, somethings wrong.

 

[TRCM]

When turning sharp in 4wd, not only can you have drivetrain/transfer case binding like MADDOG said, but you can also get binding at the outer axle shaft joint (joint that lets the tire turn).....and you easily damage that joint too if you try to turn too sharp.

 

[chrisp2493]

I didn’t know that would cause issues with the 4wd. I’ve had times I’ve felt a real drag when turning sharp, like into a parking spot in 4wd. But never any noticeable side affects

 

[TRCM]

On some trucks, the steering wheel will actually kick back due to the u joint binding up when turning too sharp. I know of people who have sprained their wrist from this wheeling off road

Personally, when in 4 low, or 4 high for that matter, if I am turning sharp, I use 1 finger on the wheel...if that isn't enough I am turning too sharp.

I broke the yoke arm on a front axle shaft once trygin to turn too sharp...won't do that again.

 

[Tazzerblue]

I would look into the front hubs not unlocking. or the electric transfer case.

 

[BinaryData]

It makes a funky sound, and the wheel forcefully turns back. I'm going to take it into the shop after I get my tax return, I'll be able to have more repairs done on it.

 

[ExpressRules]

I prefer doing a thrust alignment because your truck is RWD but some shops will offer a front only adjustment if there was specific front end suspension work done.

If that's not the case with your truck I'd suggest the full alignment.

If you see me driving this, have fun trying to pass me...

Tell you what, I'll race ya for big money if I can choose the road. After that you may need more then an alignment. But I will admit it looks very fast.

 

[MADDOG]

LOL...yeah, it's fast. It's all aligned and ready to go.

 

[ExpressRules]

LOL...yeah, it's fast. It's all aligned and ready to go.

Maybe beat me silly off the line, but after the 10th or 20th pot hole I may get the advantage. Have to tell you though I've always like the styling of that model and if I didn't have the RAM I could see me in that as a daily driver.