Steering too tight?

One of the other threads mentioned needing to drive in 4-hi monthly to keep things lubed up. Anyway, today I did (only the second time in my 4 months), and for the recommended 10 miles.

I noticed real quick that the steering really resists turning, especially right turns. Popping it back into 2-H and the steering is back to what I'm used to.

Is this normal? I don't recall my Explorer doing this in 4-hi or 4-lo.

 

yes, its normal. with the front end engaged, its resisting the one wheel spining more than the other while turning, so you really feel it in the turns. I do mine on the 1st of every month ( easy for me to remember ). I usually find a long straight road, a side road with no traffic. Put it in 4-hi for a mile or two, check traffic, stop and put it in 4-lo and do about a half mile. Stop and put back in 4-hi, go a few yards, then back to 2-hi. So i only do it for about 3-5 mile if that. But i have been doing this on my last 3 toyotas for over 20 years and have never had a driveline problems. Plus you then become real used to how your truck reacts.

 

yeap,the resistance !

 

I always found it interesting that I was not told of this when I bought the vehicle... this was my first 4WD truck and I was not aware of this until a few months ago. I can't find mention of it in the manual, either... only the upper speed limit for 4HI.

 

Yeah I wasn't told either. BTW, it's under the 4-wheel drive section, NOT preventitive maintanence (which to me would make more sense).

It's literally a 2-liner in the manual. Go figure.

OK, glad it's not unusual then. Thanks!

 

You shouldn't engage 4wd on pavement, only on surfaces that will allow slip. Otherwise, you're putting undue stress on the drivetrain. (Dirt, snow, ice, ect.... all good for 4wd)

If you do have to engage it on pavement, only do it in a straight line as much as possible.... but best to avoid.

 

yeap