Question - with the 4H engaged and the steering wheel close to full lock in either direction, is it normal for there to be resistance/binding in the front end. Experienced this while backing up on wet grass incline with trailer. With 4H the back wheels were spinning.

Also, when disengaging the 4H, after the 4x4 shift message clears from the screen, a few seconds later there is a sound, like a shift or thud front he front end. Is this the hubs disengaging?

I think I know the answer to this but wanted to make sure.

Thanks

 

Hi,

Yes for your first question you'll often hear the wheels "scrubbing" when in 4x4 and turning sharp.

And for your second question you can often hear when the front transfer case engages and desengages when Switching between 2H, 4H, 4L.

 

Thank you

Can scrubbing cause damage?

 

On dry pavement, yes. You should only use 4x4 when on a slick/loose surface, to keep from wearing the transfer case gears and your tires.

 

In 4H, the transfer case sends power equally to the front and rear. When you turn, the front wheels move in a bigger arc than the rear wheels which means the front wheels are moving faster and that is what causes the scrubbing. On loose surfaces like snow, ice, sand, wet grass, etc., scrubbing won't hurt your truck. If you do it on pavement or other hard grippy surfaces, the scrubbing will be much more pronounced and could cause premature drive line wear or breakage if done often.

 

I appreciate the information.

 

All sounds normal to me. I was backing up a grassy hill in 4H at full lock right and the right front wheel would try to hop and really dug into the grass. Seems to work best if you keep the wheels straight.

I try to avoid doing anything in reverse (steep hills and such) as the rear is so light it can't get any traction. Going forward works much better.

Side note: I have to back up a long steep (40 degree or so) paved driveway occasionally (in 2wd). These trucks are so light in the rear, she just wants to spin. E-lock doesn't help. I have to get a running start and keep the speed up to avoid wheel spin.

Thank you for your service.
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