4wd feels tight

Why when in four wheel high when going around a sharp corner slow the truck feels like it's tight and don' want to go. Normal?

 

Yes

 

The inside and outside tires are trying to rotate at different speeds. So if you aren't on a surface that allows the tires to slip some, it will feel like things are binding up.

 

4x4 basics. Welcome to TW buddy. This place will make you 10x smarter and 10x poor - er .

 

Ok thx guys

 

Use the 4X4 offroad or on slippery streets. If you want to make a sharp turn like in a parking lot. Put the truck into 2wd to prevent binding.

 

its because we have 4x4 and not awd. when you turn the front wheel try to drive on a smaller circle than your rear wheels. An AWD system get around this by havng a center differential that allows for speed difference between the front and rear. 4x4 doesnt have a center diff just a transfer case that sends exactly the same speed front and rear.

 

Uhh


Let me guess you were on pavement ?...

 

Well, actually, what you are describing is a locked differential.

In and AWD, there is a center differential that allows the speed of the drive shafts to be different. The taco doesn't have one. The binding he is referring to is that ALL wheels are traveling at different speeds and more importantly is that the front shaft is spinning at a different speed than the rear drive shaft. The center differential, like on a full time four wheel drive, combined with front and rear differentials, allow ALL wheels to travel at different speeds.

 

So you guys suggest just turning the 4wd on and off especially when turning around or making sharp turns in a non slippery lot

 

Never turn on 4hi or 4lo, unless traction is an issue. In those modes, your tires need to be able to "slip", otherwise you'll damage the drivetrain. Never use on dry pavement.

 

My Toyota service rep told me that you must turn on the 4WD occasionally to keep all the components lubed up. Otherwise seals, diaphrams etc can dry out and break down.

I don't have any open country fields or dirt/gravel roads to even occasionally use 4WD.

Every few months I'll put 4WD on and go for a few miles on a straight stretch of paved road (no turns). Is this recommended?

I am curious what everyone does, or can suggest, to occasionally keep the 4WD components in primo condition.

 

In theory, as long as you're going in a perfectly straight line, you should be fine. I personally would try to find a large gravel lot. Keep in mind, there are tons of trucks out there that don't engage their 4x4 for years, and don't have issues wwith seals and whatnot.

 

Its actually the fronts rotating at different speeds than the rears thats a problem. We have open diffs front and rear but we are locked at the transfer case.

 

Actually, I think the policy is, if you bought a 4wd truck, you should be out somewhere that you need it and use it once a month. Otherwise the Prius is a far more capable vehicle for city traffic.

 

There is a nice stretch of straight road on my commute to work that I occasionally activate 4wd.

I have been following this topic in TW since purchasing the truck.

The consensus seems to be that as long as you aren't turning the wheels too much, it is ok to have 4wd on dry pavement, just to keep the parts lubricated.

Have seen many members respond that the truck will be fine without this being done, but my plan is to keep my truck for a very long time.

IMO, like most things, if you keep on top of seemingly insignificant maintenance issues now, your reward will be realized "way down the road" -literally, lol.

 

gorgeous dog dude

 

they say to do so. Which is interesting because yes if you dont use it, it will seize. But htey don't mention it for 4lo. one guy I wheel with has no 4lo because the actuator is seized. I'm thinking this is exactly why. 4Lo was never used.


But yes straight line on pavement is the best option. But even better option would be find some open country roads and have some fun

I truthfully never do the pavement. But then again I go off road almost every weekend in the summer months and in the winter months I'm in 4hi cause of the snow lol.

 

Thanks man!

 

I have yet to see a drivetrain or any part of a vehicle legitimately damaged due to binding from 4wd.