wheel differential on 4 wheel drive?

I have a 2006 TRD and I have been using it for two years pushing snow. This year I realized that I did not have the best tires, and man did we get snow this year!

I noticed that not all wheels were turning on 4x4 when I was stuck in a snow bank. I figured this is some of the wheels not turning because there just slipping right?

I then jacked the truck because it was stuck and put 2x4's to get traction from two of the wheels to get me out with my shit tires. They still were not turning!? Is this normal? I know my 4x4 is working because I can feel the difference when its on, but when I saw this I started getting a little worried as to why my wheels were not turning, those 2x4 maybe not have been the best for traction but those wheels should of turned no?

 

Welcome to the site. We have open differentials meaning not both wheels on the same axle will turn the same direction unless you have a locking axle which TRD Off-Road models do.

 

TRD what? There's a sport and there's an offroad. It makes a difference. 2006 sport has a mechanical limited slip REAR differential, which may be broken or worn out, or wrong fluid. Offroad has button to activate an electric differential LOCK, which by the sounds of it, you either haven't got, haven't used, or is broken.

Currently (whether due to being broken, or due to not using it), you have open differentials on both front and back. If there is a substantial difference in traction between the two sides (which is common in ice/snow), then the wheel with the LEAST traction will spin, while the wheel with the MOST traction will remain stationary.

You can try using a poor man's rear limited slip... pull the ebrake a bit to equalize resistance. Its not perfect, but has a slight chance of getting you out of the hole.

Note that traction sucks on snow, even with great tires. The two greatest things you can do for traction in the snow are these;
1) Tire chains. You can ONLY put chains on the REAR axle, not the front.
2) Add some weight to the bed. Say 400-500 pounds.

Note: With chains, having a limited slip or locking differential makes no difference, since chains equalize the traction on the two sides.

 

Sorry I didn't add, it is a 2006 TRD sport

@96carboard

Currently (whether due to being broken, or due to not using it), you have open differentials on both front and back. If there is a substantial difference in traction between the two sides (which is common in ice/snow), then the wheel with the LEAST traction will spin, while the wheel with the MOST traction will remain stationary.

You're above comment sounds a lot like what it looked like the other day. I am buying some kick ass snow tires for next year. But I just wanted to know if I should get my 4x4 checked. One wheels was dug in and had weight on it and didn't look like it was spinning. I had put the 2x4's on those and no spin, when I switched the 2x4 on the wheels with less traction the truck moved like it wasn't even stuck. So it looks like that.

does that mean something might be "may be broken or worn out, or wrong fluid" or its really doing its job?

Thanks for the replies!

 

Search youtube. Theres a ton of videos on there explaining how a differential works, and why vehicles need them. Once you understand that, you'll see that what you experienced is nothing to be worried about.

 

Your 4x4 is fine. It only impacts front to back connection -- i.e., you will get one wheel spinning on the front and one wheel spinning on the back, with the remaining two wheels stationary.

Differential will impact side to side.

Front differential is an open differential. There is NO limited slip available on the front axle until 2009.

To be honest, your truck is old. The limited slip back differential is probably worn out and ineffective. You might be able to get some action out of it by changing the fluid. Or maybe not. Its NOT worth ripping the differential apart.

 

copy that
My main problem was the wheels being warn and I'm the idiot for not putting solid gripping tires on them, which are being ordered now. She's old but I'm gonna love her tell she dies!

thanks again

 

Just keep in mind what I said above.... you aren't going to see too huge of a difference from just tires, especially when plowing. What you need is weight, and if possible, chains.

 

As others have said with and open differential you will only get one wheel pulling on each axle once you get in a bind. You do have all 4 getting power prior to that, but once things get tough the one wheel with the least traction on each axle will then get all the power. Some trucks have a limited slip rear axle, and in rare cases on the front too. But they are " limited" in how much they help. Many trucks also have locking rear diff's that once locked will send power to both rear wheels. I'm not aware of anyone with a locking front diff from the factory, but it is sometimes done aftermarket. Those are mostly used by guys into rock crawling where you often have one or sometimes 2 wheels not even in contact with the ground. Locking diff's are more helpful in mud than snow.

But not having them isn't as much of a negative as it sounds. Locking and limited slip axles tend to be less strong and will break more often, especially if used for towing. Plus if used improperly will damage your drive train. They should only be used in extreme situations and just long enough to get you out of a bad spot. Both limited slip, and locking diff's can be a negative in snow. Most properly designed roads are higher in the center to allow rain to drain. A standard axle will only allow one wheel to spin, but if it does the truck still stays on the road. If in snow and BOTH rear wheels start spinning the rear end of the truck will slide down hill into the ditch.