Got mt 4x4 stuck... only one front wheel turning

Hi,

Yes, I got my truck stuck.... it was in about 1.5 feet of crappy cristalized snow.....but what I noticed is that ony one of the 2 front wheels were spinning.

The now packed down and turned into intant ice.... and I could not move the heavy snow = stuck! lol


Is this normal for only one of the 2 front wheels to turn?

Thanks ahead of time!
http://www.thedrivingschool.ca/Truck.htm

 

Sounds like you were in 4 high

 

Yes its normal, I think its because of the mechanical limited slip, but not for sure on that. Chris4x4 where ya at???

 

I believe thats how the 4x4 works. You have the electronic locker in the rear which makes both tires spin, but in the front the truck doesnt have that, so only 1 would spin.

 

Thanks............ and it took me a bit of shoveling but man... my poor ego.. lol

 

knowledge downloaded

 

[attitude withdrawn]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_(mechanical_device)
Limited Slip
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential
Locker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_differential

 

I have the basic (i would say above average) knowledge but this is why we have this forum.......... to help and educate everyone!

 

No need to be insulting. If his username were 4x4Instructor then your comment might be valid. Most driving instructors I've know teach in cars, not 4x4s.

 

+1- 6 posts in is no time to be getting flippant.


PS- Wiki is weak fu- Use real websites for true internet street cred.

 

And by the way.......I got stuck while I was driving..lol And we do talk about 4x4 in the truck but in a real general way.. like never drive it in 4x4 on dry or wet pavement....... diference between locking hubs and shit on the fly..... traction...... 2x4 and 4x4 demos........ rear wheel power skids.....

The kids love it......... I don't love having to fill it every 2 days.. lol

 

Sorry, that did came out more flippant then I intended. It is not at all uncommon to see LSDs in cars and sometime full lockers and spools. It makes a huge difference on how the car behaves in poor traction conditions (hydroplaning, ice/snow, etc.), just as driving a FWD car sometimes requires a completely different style in emergency situations then RWD. For the vast majority of people open diffs are actually the better choice as they tend to be more forgiving and predicable on-road then any of the locker choices. I took driver training as a kid too and I didn't learn anything about this area either. I had to take up wheeling years latter before I learned what any of the differences were. Sorry I didn't mean my comment to be personal, I guess I just meant that I would have expected the certification to have enough depth that one could at least explain if asked.

Anyway now that you know a little more about how things work mechanically if you are curious you should borrow a friends vehicle and try things like braking on ice, or cornering hard w/ the locker engaged (hint: I suggest a large parking lot)

Wiki Is weak, I was in a hurry. This should be a little better.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm