4x4 problems

hey guys got my 08 sport 6spd about 3 weeks ago and ive noticed today that i can shift my truck into 4x4 mode just fine and drive regularly but when i get to a creep (5mph or so) to park it bogs down hard almost like im downshifting and feels like i have my ebrake partially on. and if i give it a little more gas it starts shuttering and basically forces me to switch it back to 2wd. Im pretty sure this cant be normal and its still under warranty, anyone have any ideas what that could be?

 

you should Not be using 4 wheel drive on dry surfaces....period
you can do some real damage

 

He speaks the truth! ^^^^

 

This is normal IF you are using 4X4 on dry pavement.
But you SHOULD NOT use 4X4 on dry pavement.
You WILL damage the driveline.

The Tacoma has part time 4X4 NOT AWD

 

Seriously?? So if you're driving on dry trails you shouldn't be using 4 wheel drive? Please explain this to me.

 

If the 4x is on on dry HARD ground, going straight is fine. BUT if you turn, thats the problem. It will try to force everything to move binding it all up, eventually somethings gotta give. What you describing sounds exactly like binding it up on dry ground. Loose dry dirt is fine.

 

he meant dry hard(concrete) surfaces. dry dirt, grass, etc is normal, b/c it gives. concrete doesnt give.

 

yes what they said^^^^^ thanks......

 

As shook said, if you turn sharp at a slow speed as in a parking spot mine acts exactly as the OP describes. It evens happens up at camp parking the trailer in a tight spot in the winter or parking spot. Gotta switch it out if the 4WD engaged for parking. I never use it in the summer on dry pavement tho. Once a month or so when we are up at Camp on the Class IV roads & trails to make sure it still works.

 

I know. I was implying his statement wasn't actually true even though he meant it to be. Surface is a general term. Asphalt/concrete is specific. It can be misleading to say don't use 4x4 on any dry surface vs don't use 4x4 on asphalt/concrete. Sorry thats just me being a stickler.

 

well it was on wet pavement since its been raining, but what u guys say does make sense.

 

You will still get some binding, even on the dirt if you are trying to corner real sharp, such as in maxing out the steering wheel in either direction. This is because the spindles are turned so sharply, that the drive train itself binds. I have had this problem in both the FJ Cruiser and the Taco when I need to negotiate a real tight turn. As the others have also stated, don't use 4 wheel drive on hard roads. If I'm on a run and am on hard packed dirt, I turn off the 4 wheel drive. You shouldn't be using 4 wheel on hard pack for the same reason you shouldn't use it on pavement. The tires don't slip enough to prevent binding in the turns.

 

We are still talking about sharp turns in 4x4 correct?

I am no expert but I would assume Toyota would engineer the truck to be able to travel regular snow covered roads in 4x4. I can understand disengaging the transfer case during parking or u-turns but do I really have to stay in 2 wheel drive any time i am not driving in a straight line? That would make trying navigate slippery intersections with a composite bed weighing down my rear tires that much more intersting.

Not trying to start a fight I am honestly confused.

 

What we're trying to say is 4x and TURNING on a hard, dry surface will cause binding. Look at it this way, if the tires cannot slip to relieve the binding up then you should not be in 4x. Snow on a road will allow the tire to slip. I actually engage my 4x4 about once a month on a straight road thats on my way to work to let everything work, and prevent a stuck shift actuator or something from non-use.

 

snow, sand, loose dirt etc has some give to it...hard surfaces like concrete and asfault don't. Don't use 4x4 on hard "no give" surfaces. Even in the loose stuff while in 4x4 make your turns wide to keep from binding up.

 

oh yeah regular snow covered roads, I am in 4wd, turning through intersections, trailering on the interstate up to speed. I use it less now since running studded tires which also helped with stopping less. Granted mine is a 2006 with no traction control features as on the newer models.

 

That's what I though, usage of 4x4 should be decided upon depending on the traction availible by the surface you are traveling.

I second guessed myself, thanks for clearing it up.

 

yeah sure, no problem with turning left or right in an intersection. that is if there is something on the paved road making it a little slippery. rain or snow. the turns you make there arent that tight. if you feel you need 4wd on the pavement then it probably wont do any harm. the binding from sharp turns isnt that the cv angles in your IFS driveline areat too great of an angle, but that since your t-case doesnt have a differential like a AWD vehicle, sharp turns will make the front axles want to go a greater distance than your rear. this causes excessive torque on your u-joints and cv joints. another thing is that the rear axle pushes or pulls the vehicle, and with our soft leaf springs you get axle wrap too. axle wrap not only hurts the u-joint on the 3rd, but also puts strain on the carrier bearing. all very important things to keep you going.

yes, what he said. just be more careful or disengage.

 

If you want to four wheel on paved roads, in dry weather... get an AWD/ Full Time 4WD with a center differential. If you are having difficulty turning or steering in 4WD, the take it OUT of 4WD!!! Why are you fighting with this problem. Stay in 2WD until your tires start slipping/ spinning from wet/ ice/ mud whatever... THEN turn the dial into 4WD... It is shift-on-the-fly, afterall.. It takes no work to lock the hubs in order to use our 4WD as our Tacos have an ADD (automatic differential disconnect) in the front (gives us automatic locking hubs).

 

If you feel like you need 4wd in the rain...you need to slow down. It is very helpful in snow and ice though, but just as offroad, snow and ice allow your tires to slip relieving stress on the drivetrain, rain typically does not.