normal 4x4 operations

[mcelwajy]

SO the X I have right now is the first 4x4 I've ever owned. We got about 8 inches of snow the other day so I had my first experience driving with 4x4. I noticed that when I turn the wheel pretty far in either direction (like in a parking lot, or when parking) the steering wheel starts jerking pretty hard back and forth from the direction I'm turning. In addition, it feels like the front wheels are binding up when this occurs - almost like they can't turn. As soon as I let the wheels straighten back out a little it stops.

It also acts weird when turning while going in reverse.

I've noticed it seems to resolve after everything warms up.

Wife has an 06 mountaineer AWD and when the 4x4 engages it does not do this - wasn't sure if that was a good comparison.


Thoughts?

 

[94explorerEB]

Mine binds up when turning sharp in 4wd and tries to push the front wheels forward as well. I just try not to turn as sharp while in 4wd.

 

[llamaking122]

SO the X I have right now is the first 4x4 I've ever owned. We got about 8 inches of snow the other day so I had my first experience driving with 4x4. I noticed that when I turn the wheel pretty far in either direction (like in a parking lot, or when parking) the steering wheel starts jerking pretty hard back and forth from the direction I'm turning. In addition, it feels like the front wheels are binding up when this occurs - almost like they can't turn. As soon as I let the wheels straighten back out a little it stops.

It also acts weird when turning while going in reverse.

I've noticed it seems to resolve after everything warms up.

Wife has an 06 mountaineer AWD and when the 4x4 engages it does not do this - wasn't sure if that was a good comparison.


Thoughts?

thats normal the 4x4 in the explorers are made too slip and if they dont slip enough the gears start binding and such. where as AWD is made not too slip

 

[mcelwajy]

Well I suppose that its a plus seeing as I'm not alone - I'll have to take a peek under the hood tonight.

 

[mcelwajy]

Thanks guys - so when would it indicate a problem? Or rather, when would I know that its not the normal slipping?

 

[atv nut]

When turning your wheels ,the outer wheel in the turn radius turns more revolutions than the inner.When in 4x4 the wheels have to slip some to compensate. My x does this also..try not to turn as sharp. Also makes life easier on the cv joints.

 

[Wakeboy1337]

SO the X I have right now is the first 4x4 I've ever owned. We got about 8 inches of snow the other day so I had my first experience driving with 4x4. I noticed that when I turn the wheel pretty far in either direction (like in a parking lot, or when parking) the steering wheel starts jerking pretty hard back and forth from the direction I'm turning. In addition, it feels like the front wheels are binding up when this occurs - almost like they can't turn. As soon as I let the wheels straighten back out a little it stops.

It also acts weird when turning while going in reverse.

I've noticed it seems to resolve after everything warms up.

Wife has an 06 mountaineer AWD and when the 4x4 engages it does not do this - wasn't sure if that was a good comparison.


Thoughts?

This is completely normal. This is the difference between 4x4 and AWD. Try to make wide turns. Every time you make it jerk like that, you are running a huge risk of blowing the transfer case apart.

 

[Currency]

I thought the system only jerked like that when the tires are not able to slip, such as the big no no of engaging on a surface that does not allow any slipping such as pavement.

Also I believe the difference between 4X4 and AWD is that AWD is all the time and you can engage and disengage 4X4. I can understand that AWD doesn't slip like 4X4, but than again my old blazer could run in 4X4 on pavement

 

[Tony H]

SO the X I have right now is the first 4x4 I've ever owned. We got about 8 inches of snow the other day so I had my first experience driving with 4x4. I noticed that when I turn the wheel pretty far in either direction (like in a parking lot, or when parking) the steering wheel starts jerking pretty hard back and forth from the direction I'm turning. In addition, it feels like the front wheels are binding up when this occurs - almost like they can't turn. As soon as I let the wheels straighten back out a little it stops.

It also acts weird when turning while going in reverse.

I've noticed it seems to resolve after everything warms up.

Wife has an 06 mountaineer AWD and when the 4x4 engages it does not do this - wasn't sure if that was a good comparison.


Thoughts?

At almost Full Lock when turning, the 'U' joints on the axles bind a bit. This is normal with almost any 'Old school' 4WD system. The AWD usually have CV joints that feel better during tighter turns... but wont last as long.

 

[Baddecision93]

I have had a number of old 4x4s. I just take my turns slow and wide. In my opinion if it's bad enough out to need 4WD then it's bad enough to slow down a little.
The bumping/grinding/clunking happens every time when an engaged 4x4 turns tight. I know those kind of noises = eventual expense so if I have to I make a multi-point turn around. Cheaper than fixing stuff and better than wincing at a clunk