4wd engages suddenly - Is this right?

[beau]

We had some rain here in Michigan this a.m., so I thought I'd see how the auto 4wd works on the new '97 Sport. (Haven't had it off road yet - except on dirt roads.) I stomped on it at a light and as soon as the rear wheels started to spin the front wheels engaged with a sudden thump. Felt like I dropped a gear on a manual tranny and stood on the gas. I tried it again and the same thing happened. I was scared to do it any more because I thought I might hurt something. Is that normal? Seems like it would put a lot of stress on the diff. Only reason I ask is because on my AWD mountaineer when you stand on the gas on a slick surface the power comes on, but much more smoothly. (Almost feels like letting out the clutch on the front wheels slowly - as opposed to Sport which feels like you dropped it). Is my Sport's 4wd working right? (Perhaps if I was on snow or dirt it would still come on just as suddenly, but I wouldn't notice it because the front would spin some too.) Thanks.

 

[dman726749]

yep thats 4auto for you, all the power to the rear until they start to spin, then it splits the power to the front sounds like yours is in working order

 

[beau]

Yea, I know. I just wondered it it was supposed to come on so suddenly. Felt like it might break something.

 

[JPA1982]

ya, the auto doesn't distribute the power evenly until u need it,thus the instant feel when it does, jolt, or something along those lines, ur AWD monti is just that always pretty even front to rear on power, so its hella smoother, u just went from 1st class to business class, i guess u could say, no intention of offending neone, i drive a 97 4x4 auto, i love it, just actually made it 2wd, so much better