Difficult steering in 4X4 mode

[Remy13]

I am not new to using a 4X4, but it seems that the turning radius and the feel of the tires being rolled over themselves (like being folded sideways) is very excessive on my New 2013 Ram 2500 6.7 4X4 truck. Can anyone shed light as to what I might be doing wrong? The turning radius more than doubles in width and the ability to navigate on hard/solid surfaces is just too severe to be of any real use for this mode (read this as stuck in a parking lot and having to shut off the 4X4 mode).

Any one got a clue to what I am doing wrong? I know, 4X4 is for off pavement or on slick surfaces, but there are times on dry pavement when I want this function. Why the severe difference of ability (I know the dynamics of the front axle so I am not a dumb bunny here - I have a 91 Toyota Land Cruiser and it doesn't act this way - My 92 GMC K2500 didn't either)?

Thanks anyone and everyone that might respond to my dilemma...

 

[Djeazie]

That is the driveline binding. Very very bad for your truck. 4wd should never be used on dry pavement for an extended period. maybe short periods to pull a bout out of a steep ramp or something like that. But I would never recommend turning with it on dry pavement. That binding will eventually break something. Be careful!

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[mtofell]

That is the driveline binding. Very very bad for your truck. 4wd should never be used on dry pavement for an extended period. maybe short periods to pull a bout out of a steep ramp or something like that. But I would never recommend turning with it on dry pavement. That binding will eventually break something. Be careful!

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X2

Every 4WD truck I've owned acts this way. Whenever it snows around here and I'm using 4X in a parking lot I have to turn it off to jockey into a tight spot. There's no reason to ever use it when it's dry.

I've often thought that common 4WD is a pretty "caveman" system. I mean, really... it's 2014 and nobody can design a system to make it smooth? I know they can and it's called AWD and it's really expensive..... probably really so on a big heavy truck.

Back to the OP's question..... maybe the short wheelbase on your Landcruiser made it less noticeable? Just thinking out loud. What you describe does sound pretty normal.

 

[homeguy]

X3. Something will break. U-joints, driveshaft, axel or something else.


By my iPhone.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Your front axle has a locker in it of some sort and the wheels are suppose to turn at the same speed. If it can't do that they bind and chirp when your turn you tires need to spin at different speeds. Only time I use 4wd on dry is coming up a hill with loose gravel on it and then is right back out of 4wd. My dad has a 3/4 diesel and his does that same thing I'm sure the weight of the 2500 makes it worse over a smaller vehicle.

 

[TRCM]

Your front axle has a locker in it of some sort and the wheels are suppose to turn at the same speed. If it can't do that they bind and chirp when your turn you tires need to spin at different speeds. Only time I use 4wd on dry is coming up a hill with loose gravel on it and then is right back out of 4wd. My dad has a 3/4 diesel and his does that same thing I'm sure the weight of the 2500 makes it worse over a smaller vehicle.

It only has a locker if it is a power wagon, and he didn't indicate it was.

It is very common, especially if trying to turn in a tight radius, and it is a direct result of the u-joints in the front axle only being able to work thru certain angles. IE, a u-joint will allow motion side to side, and up & down, but not any combination of them without binding. This binding is what you are feeling thru the drivetrain.

It can and will break things if you try to force it. You should be able to drive normally in 4WD, but tight turns (like trying to park) can cause this to happen if on a high traction surface.

 

[Remy13]

Okay. This is different due to the type of axle the truck has compared to the Land Cruiser (it was a CV type joint which was inside of a knuckle) and the GMC had the same type as this truck, but it never acted this tight before. Of course when I got the GMC it had over 200K on it and may have been broke in a bit more than this new truck.

Thanks everyone for making this an easy answer. I was worried that something was wrong and that it needed to go to the dealership again.