4x4 on ice

[nascar_intimid]

when at idle and on ice after engaging the 4 high I accelerate lightly and I hear a light thud during the engagement on ice only will this hurt the automatic hubs or anything...I am almost too scared to use the 4x4 as I don't want to waste it (sounds corny) on playing around compared to needing it in the snow to get to work...you know what I nean, will this thudding hurt anything??

 

[F14CRAZY]

It might be somewhat normal. Just make sure that your rear wheels are not slipping before or when the hubs engage. Mine always make a slight thud when engaging. Always try to engage in a condition where you know that your wheels speeds are the same, like coasting at 10 mph or so (which is usually when I engage)

 

[nascar_intimid]

That is exactly what I was thinking from now on..."well said" and thanks for the advice

 

[satsuperman]

my 94 sport does the same thing. a little chattering then one good bang or thud sound. seems to be completly normal. my 97 does it as well but not near as much. also learned a very valuable piece of help tonight on another posting I had. take off the hub and make sure there is no excess grease in it. mine was getting to be a bit more than normal so i pulled the hub and then remembered that i put a sh*t load of grease in them when i changed the wheel bearings. I ran the hubs through a parts washer then lubbed them with a bit of gear lube and now they go in and out almost silent and perfectly. If you read in the owners manual it will tell you that a bit of chatter and banging is normal.