HELP!!! Front differential is locking!!!!!

So I just got a 2001 Tacoma and have 26,000 miles on it. It sat for a while and I don't know how it was taken care of or driven. As soon as I got it I change the motor oil and I'm planning to change the oil in my transmission, transfer case, and both differentials this weekend.


So here's my problem, every time I switch it to for high the front differential seems to lock. Is that normal?

 

If by locking you mean that the steering is stiff...

Stiffness is normal when 4H or 4L is engaged, especially when on pavement. That's just due to the physics of having 4 wheels being forced to moving at the same time on the same surface without slippage.

 

What I've noticed is for example if I'm going from Road to dirt and switch it to four-wheel-drive before I get to dirt The front wheels start to slip as I turn. Is that stiffness or locking? I'm not sure…

 

Don't use 4wd on dry hard surface. Problem solved.

 

What he said.

It's the same with my Tacoma when I engage 4WD on the street.

 

Front diff is supposed to lock. I can drive my '00 4x4 in 4wd h/l, but when i make a turn, and 1 tire begins to turn sloewer than the other, the tires grind on gravel. And it's not pretty. You'll burn the tires in no time that way. Only drive them perfectly straight, or on loose road like dirt when in 4wd.

 

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Diffs are not supposed to lock, at all, unless there is a locker installed. An open differential, the standard in almost all vehicles remains fully open no matter what barring physical damage. The steering may feel heavier because the front wheels are actively driving vs free-wheeling and that is noticeable. The outside wheel may feel like it's being pushed more than when it's free wheeling because it is trying to drive/pull through a turn and the rest of the vehicle is still wanting to go straight, also noticeable. If the axle is actually locking, that is unable to freewheel and there is no locker or at least limited slip in it, you have a problem.

Part time 4wd is meant by design to only be used on loose/slippery surfaces. It's not designed to be used in situations where all 4 wheels have good traction. You need some slip to keep the hardware alive. You'll get binding at best, damage at worst. Full time 4wd can be used on pavement without issue.