Quick 4x4 Question (I tried a searched for this) with 4 wheels in air?

[jsun]

I had all 4 wheels in the air trying to diagnose my front-end issues this last weekend.

My question is that if all four of these wheels are up in the air with the transfer case in 4 low, and the engine is at idle. Would the tires be in four low or do I need to be 5km hr plus for it to activate?

I had noticed in 4 low at idle, that I could still grab/catch my wheel and hold it from spinning on both sides while in 4 low & 4 high even.

Does this sound like the control motor?

Also, auto hubs engage. At least I can hear them engage.

Thanks in advance!
(Sorry if this has been discussed but I could not find this info in the search.)

J

 

[Alec]

What gear was the tranny in, and what wheels were spinning?

EDIT: Ok, I'll be more long winded.

I'm assuming that you mean that only the rear tires spun when in lo. And that 4 tires spun when in hi.

As for holding a tire from spinning, it's normal with open differentials for you to be able to hold one tire while the other spins.

 

[Doug]

With the truck in 4 lo the truck is locked in 4wd. where you able to stop both front wheels from spinning or just one? if you where able to stop one wheel from spinning but if you stopped bother wheels from spinning in 4lo there is something wrong. Are you sure the truck is shifting in to 4lo? does the 4wd low light come on? if it does and it's still doing that it's possible there is something wrong with the gem or it's possible the TOD clutch is completely shot or not engaging at all. are you getting and strange noises when driving or when you step on the gas?

 

[DeRocha]

Alec and Doug are on the money. With open differentials the power is sent to the wheel with the least resistance. That is why you can grab one wheel and it will stop and the other tire will move. If you tried this with a locked differential both wheels would receive power and you couldn't stop either tire with just your hands.

That being said if either front wheel is off the ground at the same time as either back wheel then your X is going nowhere. The wheels in the air have the least resistance and will happily spin. That is why lockers are used by all serious offroad vehicles.

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by Doug
With the truck in 4 lo the truck is locked in 4wd. where you able to stop both front wheels from spinning or just one? if you where able to stop one wheel from spinning but if you stopped bother wheels from spinning in 4lo there is something wrong. Are you sure the truck is shifting in to 4lo? does the 4wd low light come on? if it does and it's still doing that it's possible there is something wrong with the gem or it's possible the TOD clutch is completely shot or not engaging at all. are you getting and strange noises when driving or when you step on the gas?

Yes I get strange noises and vibration in the gas pedal under load. This is the reasoning behind me lifting the truck into the air.

No 4x4 lights flash on the dash but do come on when in 4 high/low. Understanding that with an open diff for the front that only one wheel will spin at a time. I thought if in 4 low/high it would lock both fronts. I only tried one wheel at a time, as I was all alone doing this. The truck was in first gear at idle, and I could grab the tire and stop it from moving.

Thanks for the responce guys!!!

J

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by DEROCHA
Alec and Doug are on the money. With open differentials the power is sent to the wheel with the least resistance. That is why you can grab one wheel and it will stop and the other tire will move. If you tried this with a locked differential both wheels would receive power and you couldn't stop either tire with just your hands.

That being said if either front wheel is off the ground at the same time as either back wheel then your X is going nowhere. The wheels in the air have the least resistance and will happily spin. That is why lockers are used by all serious offroad vehicles.

I see. I would have thought that even in 4 low or high, expecially 4 low that these wheels would have been locked and I could not grab them. Or at least one of them.

Thanks sooo much!

J

 

[DeRocha]

Just to clarify- your wheels are locked, but your differentials are "OPEN" models and cannot be Locked. The only way to send equal power to both wheels on an axle is to replace the differential with a locking model.

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by DEROCHA
Just to clarify- your wheels are locked, but your differentials are "OPEN" models and cannot be Locked. The only way to send equal power to both wheels on an axle is to replace the differential with a locking model.

Got it! Thanks for the clarification...well sorta, it's back to the drawing board to trouble shoot my truck issue's.

I had thought I had found my prob.

Thanks!

J

 

[Doug]

check the driveshafts, the driveshaft bolts, make sure the dampner on the t-case is still there, I've heard of some people say they had vibrations due to the tranny or motor mounts. do a search there are lots of threads out there on this subject that might help you out.

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by Doug
check the driveshafts, the driveshaft bolts, make sure the dampner on the t-case is still there, I've heard of some people say they had vibrations due to the tranny or motor mounts. do a search there are lots of threads out there on this subject that might help you out.

Thanks man!

Will definitely post my findings when and if all is well.

I may end up bringing it to a dealership to properly diagnose my issues in the end of it all. Once I find out what all is wrong, I'll see if it's in my repair capabilities.

Cheers to all that helped me!

J

 

[Opera House]

Lift up on the driveshaft. I had the rear internal bearing mount in my 4405 wear. That resulted in a lot of up/down play. All load must be off the driveshaft to check. Just yesterday someone else reported the same wear.

The rear driveshaft does have to move in order to engage the clutch for the front wheels. Three little steel balls have to climb a ranp in order to apply pressure to the clutch.

You might try removing the front driveshaft. Problems have been reported with the CV at transfer case. You have to hit the center section to unstick it from the flange.

 

[jsun]

Originally posted by Opera House
Lift up on the driveshaft. I had the rear internal bearing mount in my 4405 wear. That resulted in a lot of up/down play. All load must be off the driveshaft to check. Just yesterday someone else reported the same wear.

The rear driveshaft does have to move in order to engage the clutch for the front wheels. Three little steel balls have to climb a ranp in order to apply pressure to the clutch.

You might try removing the front driveshaft. Problems have been reported with the CV at transfer case. You have to hit the center section to unstick it from the flange.

Sorry for my ignorance, can you clarify what you mean by "you have to hit the center section to unstick it from the flange".

Also, If I disco the electrical connection from the transfer case will this aid in the same results? Or am I better off just removing the front driveshaft.

Thanks!

J