4x4 Binding?

First things first. I am a new 4x4 owner, have very little seat time driving in 4x4 mode. Everyone has to start some where. So here is my issue.

I was going down some uneven dry dirt steep hills. While going down hill I was riding the brake and correcting the wheel position to counter the uneven "Steps".
Downhill uneven road diagram!
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While doing that I could hear what sounded like a binding as I was applying the brakes. I let off and the sound stopped, but I was going faster than I wanted to. I noticed it more in 4low than 4high.

Everything seems fine. On flat ground I was able to shift into/out of 4h and 4l, and no unusual sounds in 4h or 4l while on flat dirt trails. I just don't want to hit the trails again and have it fail because I screwed something up and didn't catch it. I still have a lot to learn.

Edit to add : Followed all proper shifting according to the manual.

2nd Edit : Auto Transmission on 33" wheels. I heard the sounds, felt it in the wheel a little bit.

 

Wait so you tried to switch into 4WD while moving?
If so read your manual, I think you have to be in neutral or park and you have to be at a full stop.

 

My issue was not with shifting, followed the manual for that. My issue was once I was already shifted and moving.

 

That's interesting...
You'll have to wait for the smart people to chime in...
Ive never had this happen to me

 

You should only feel 'binding' when you have the fronts turned real sharp in 4hi/lo... it feels bad but is totally normal, just avoid doing it on dry pavement.

If you can, try going straight down those same "steps" instead of 'slaloming' the steps. The only thing in your situation that alerts me is the "correcting the wheel position to counter the uneven "Steps". " IF it wasn't doing it otherwise then I bet the 4x/t-case is fine, just how it works.

I'd be much more concerned with any bad noises: grinding, ping!ing, etc. Binding is pretty normal.

 

If you were on the brakes, you might have felt the antilock kicking in. I believe it still works in 4hi, but not 4lo. Someone else here may be able to tell us for sure.

Were you in 4hi? 4lo and first gear will give you a lot more control. Ideally if you are going downhill on a loose surface you would use the low gears to slow you down, not the brakes. If you feel the truck start to slide while descending, you can actually give it some gas to get the wheels rolling again.

Edit: I just re-read your post and saw that this happened in 4lo as well. Not sure what to tell you, 4lo should rarely require braking unless you are on some crazy inclines.

 

If in 4Lo and you heard some whining sound, that's the transfer case with the gears going to town. That sound is normal.

 

Might be your ABS kicking in, as stated above. Happens whenever I press the brakes off road.

 

If it was a dry dirt down hill...I would wager you might not even need 4x4. Photos of the trail would help...

You said you HEARD it...but did you FEEL it?? The nose of truck wiggling or bucking?? Vibration in the wheel?? Is your truck manual or auto?? What size are your tires??

 

Thanks for all the replies, I have edited the thread up top with more info. I could have been ABS, or maybe I was just turning the wheel too much. Wish I took some photos.

Imagine driving straight down a 45 degree (Just a number, no idea how steep the hill actually was) hill with alternating speed bumps on each side of the truck. Drivers side goes over bump 1 and as it dips down passenger side goes over bump 2, basically rocking the truck from driver to passenger side.

Based on replies I am not going to worry to much, just try to avoid the situation again and learn more about the need/use of 4w4.

 

I know exactly what kind of bumps you are talking about. Very common on high traffic/eroded hills. Just go straight through them; you'll likely get a wheel off the ground but it's ok, you'll have 3 still on the ground. Straight, slow, smooth, no prob.

IF you do need to steer a little, some binding feeling is normal... as much as possible try to always go straight down declines, turning chenges where gravity wants you and can cause a roll over at worst. Put it in 4lo too, no need for the ABS screwing with you on a technical drop.

 

Sounds like your ABS was kicking in.