Question about turning in 4 wheel high

So I come from one AWD Infinity SUV and before that, all cars. This is my first actual 4x4 vehicle.

I've used 4 wheel drive now since it's my first snowy winter with the truck. When I'm in 4H, and I try to turn into parking spots, the truck shakes/bucks pretty bad. Is this normal? I'm assuming its due to the front and rear wheels being powered and the decreasing diameter of the inside turn, but it feels like something is going to break on the truck.

It does this even in light snow when parking. On dry pavement you can hear the tires squealing as the truck bucks, even when turning at 2mph.

It's a 2011 TRD off road, and I don't have the locking diff or Atrac turned on (of course since I'm in 4H). All stock suspension and drivetrain.

It's under full warranty so I'm curious if I should take in in to the dealer?

 

That's normal.

Stop using 4H when the road surface is dry or not very slippery.

Unlike your AWD vehicles, there's no center differential at the transfer case so the average rotation speed of the wheels on the front axle has to be exactly the same as the average speed of the rotation of the wheels on the rear axle.

That can't happen when you're turning, so some wheelslip is required.

On a high traction surface like dry or mildly wet pavement, you get the binding symptoms you experienced.

 

It's just the front suspension that is binding up because the front tires have too much traction. The system was meant to be used when there is little to no traction. Just try to avoid using it when there is too much traction.

AWD was made to work in all types of traction

 

Pretty normal on any 4x4 vehicle I've ever owned. It usually only happens when at full lock. I wouldn't recommend 4x4 on dry pavement though.

 

Careful using 4hi on dry pavement. You should only engage it on dry pavement if you are traveling in a straight line, other wise what you are experiencing is binding.

Strange with the snow though. I havent experienced binding when the streets have snow and mine is in 4h.

Bucking is not good.

 

I try to not use 4x4 in parking lots because of this. Too many tight turns and the turning radius goes to shit even with snow on the ground

 

Mine is noticeable at full lock in the snow. For instance if I try to parallel park it, it requires more power than usual and only really wants to move when I feel wheels breaking traction to free the binding.

 

That means you are in a situation where 4WD is not needed.

I rarely use 4WD on snowy roads, only when it's icy or the snow is deep enough to be slippery.

 

Define light snow?

You could easily get that affect even with a light coating of snow. If it's doing this, you're clearly getting more traction than you think. Just stop using 4WD so frequently. I've read people here talk about using 4WD when it's raining even. That's not what it's meant for.

I never use 4WD out on paved roads unless there's a serious coating of snow that's going to allow slip. And even then I try not to make really sharp turns.

 

You definitely have to 'get accustomed' to the 4WD thing.

Being in 4Hi - regardless of how dry or slippery the conditions are, you can't make really tight turns. It puts too much pressure on the CV joints up front. I've seen many guys blow out CV joints while offroading simply by making tight turns and forcing it.

So, when you're out and about....in 4Hi ..... when you make turns, just be aware of the turns. Take wider turns than normal. When you feel the truck bucking & shaking, ...DO NOT FORCE IT. Try to straighten the wheel a bit and/or even let off the gas and let the truck 'coast' thru the turn. When you get straight again...you can apply the gas again.

When I'm in parking lots and have to park, I will take it out of 4WD just to pull into a parking space.

 

Turning tightly in 4WD will cause binding even in deep snow , I pretty much always use 4HI when there is snow on the road

 

tacoma has 4wd, also called part time 4wd,

no center differential, so front shaft speed will not want to match
rear shaft speed when in any type of turn. it -will- end up matching
speed but by fighting grip to do it

it causes binding which, if not too severe a turn, just wears out your tires more
if in a severe turn, the pressure can work hard on the cv's, u-joints, and transfer case
if really abused (like, you ignore the fact you are in 4wd on dry pavement like, always)
it might break something...but a little binding is normal just don't gas it. if you plan
on taking a sharp dry turn in 4wd, slap it in 2wd before you get there...or just go slow

the tranny, cv's, u-joints, transfer case are all stronger than the tire grip, so it won't just
bust anything...just don't make a habit of it or it might bust something when the truck gets older


other vehicles (usually not trucks) have AWD or full-time
doesn't matter what you are doing a center differential takes care of it

some vehicles have both AWD, and part-time modes. this is when you
take an AWD off road you want more guarantee 50% the power is going somewhere
up front, switch to part-time...whereas with AWD it may not be balanced 50/50

 

An AWD vehicle will normally run rings around a 4x4 on ice and snow unless the snow is deeper than the frame. The 4x4 should ONLY be engaged for off road or if you are stuck in snow. You can damage the 4x4 system otherwise. Never use it just to drive with even in snow. If other two wheel drive vehicles are running with no problem then there is no need to engage 4x4.

 

Using 4HI in snow on road is fine

 

Make wide turn, dont turn the steering wheel to the stop, if you have to have it 4WD only go about 2/3 of the way. You'll be fine.

 

ya, take it from the guy in TX

 

My point was that if it is unnecessary don't engage it. As for it being alright, true as long as you do not hit bare surfaces and corner. The OP is clearly no experienced using a 4x4 so he needs to take extra precautions or he is likely to damage his system.

 

You show your ignorance. Texas gets a lot of snow in certain areas.
https://www.google.com/search?q=amarillo+texas+snow+pictures&biw=1280&bih=853&tbm=isch&imgil=t_GHu4k8dVnNLM%253A%253B7UO4hOiYIbed6M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.breakingnews.com%25252Ftopic%25252Famarillo-tx-us%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=t_GHu4k8dVnNLM%253A%252C7UO4hOiYIbed6M%252C_&usg=__mKJRSdDQVDjkPrrAninnUge2Q2M%3D&ved=0CDEQyjc&ei=Zif2VLfKBMGPyASmwoLoCQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=t_GHu4k8dVnNLM%253A%3B7UO4hOiYIbed6M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpbs.twimg.com%252Fmedia%252FBD-NZVSCAAAJmwk.jpg%253Alarge%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.breakingnews.com%252Ftopic%252Famarillo-tx-us%252F%3B1024%3B765

 

LOL

 

Exactly , he's a newb , so give him the facts not that " never engage it ever " BS

it's fine , even if you run over dry patches it's fine , as long as you don't turn sharply when there is no surface slippage