Stiff Steering While Engaged in 4wd

Hello all,

I lifted my Tacoma about 1.5 yrs ago, and since then I've only engaged the 4wd off-road a few times. Every time I've engaged it, the steering feels stiff while taking sharp turns and I engaged it most recently and came across the same issue. This was done on dirt/gravel roads, washboards and soft mud. The vehicle has a 3" lift done with 5100's, a progressive leaf spring pack in the rear, and 33" tires. I've done the diff drop as well to keep the CV angles closer to spec. I've already taken the lift being a factor of the stiff steering into consideration, and there's a possibility the intermediate steering shaft could be kaput, since this is a common issue. But, I'm not sure if there could be other factors as well. I'm planning on taking a trip to Idaho within a few months and the places I've mapped out will more than likely require 4wd so I want to err on the side of caution. Any input would be greatly appreciated and I apologize beforehand for my ignorance.

Thanks guys!

 

That is normal for a 4X vehicle. This should not be confused with AWD vehicles. You should not make sharp turns while engaged in 4X and on paved roads. You can break something, 4X locks the wheels (f driver to f passenger and r driver and r passenger) together. Essentially when turning you are dragging one wheel. Find more by reading on rear differentials.

 

4wd doesn't lock the wheels together, it locks the driveshafts together.

 

So you're saying that it gets noticably harder to turn the steering wheel, only when in 4x4?

 

Completely normal, IMO.

 

You're not supposed to turn when engaged in 4x4.

Use it when you get stuck and need it. You can damage the truck making sharp turns in 4hi.

 

Only on surfaces that don’t allow wheel spin.

 

Wut?

 

Troll post or....?

 

That is not at all how 4x4 works... part-time 4wd locks the front and rear differentials together, not individual wheels. The differentials are still able to do their thing and distribute torque as required on each axle.

This means that at least one wheel front and one rear wheel must spin at the same speed (because differential design and physics) and since this almost never happens in a turn, you get binding when turning on surfaces that don't allow slippage.

 

Blast the steering shaft knuckle with some spray lube and work it in a bit. If the steering improves you should replace that part. Otherwise seems normal.

 

You can't be serious

 

I'm just going by what I've read on this forum. I thought you're not supposed to turn when driving in 4hi?

 

Both my 2006 & 2013 did/does this in 4WD in sharp turn situations. I try to plan accordingly or disengage (ie a snowy driveway parking spot).

 

Okay. I'll elaborate further on my issue;
I had a SC 4x4 Tacoma before my current vehicle, and I off-roaded that vehicle quite often. I've never had as much resistance turning in 4x4 off-roading as I do with this vehicle. Which seems strange, (and I know each truck is somewhat "different",) that this vehicle would have so much resistance while steering off-road. My understanding of 4wd is that the front and rear diffs engage while in 4wd, and will bind on hard surfaces due to the power being split between two diffs. The slippage of the open diffs off-road should create some, but not a great amount of resistance. The issue is, I'm getting a very noticeable amount of resistance; more than a normal 4x4 would have. So I'm just trying to eliminate a few factors as to why, not how. I'm really leaning towards the intermediate shaft issue, but I wanted to gather a few more ideas and brainstorm a bit.

Sorry to be so frank, btw. Thanks again guys.

 

Not on pavement, but on dirt/sand/mud/etc it’s absolutely fine.

You can turn is 4lo as well.

 

I understand what you are describing, Im just confused why it only happens in 4wd.. Theres nothing about the 4wd system that should change anything in the steering system.. is what Im trying to get at.

These arent like old school solid front axles with hubs and U-joints that can bind while making a tight turn in 4wd. These trucks use CV joins in the front, and there are no hubs. So they are always engaged and spinning, even in 2wd. I would give both the front axles a visual inspection to make sure one or more of your CV boots arent torn (which leads to damage of the joint itself). Also you said you had like a 3 inch lift, which is hard on the CV joints.

As far as the intermediate shaft, back to my original point.. If its bad Id think yous have this problem all the time, not just in 4wd.

One last thought, check the power steering system. Any leaks? Got enough fluid in the reservoir? How long since it was flushed?

 

My life changed today

 

I run 10+ miles of offroad trails almost every weekend in 4lo mostly, sometimes 4hi. Only broken one CV in 3 years.

As long as the front wheels have the ability to slip/skip/spin if they need to, then you're fine...i.e. you must be on some kind of surface that's loose like dirt, gravel, sand, snow, ice, etc.

Turning on pavement or asphalt is what's considered to be a bad thing, if the wheels have too much traction and can't skip, the drivetrain binds up and the next weakest link (usually a CV axle) goes boom.

 

Noted. The CV boots are okay, I checked them a few months back when I swapped out the driver's side CV axle and did the clamshell bushing swap. I know the 3" lift is hard on CV angles, and I did the diff drop but whether or not it corrects the strained CV axle angles 100%, (I doubt it), is questionable. I'm leaning towards the intermediate shaft for sure. It's been slightly stiffer since I have bought the truck, (had 65K miles at the time and at 122K now,) but it's more noticeable while in 4wd. Steering system is okay as well, outside the other issues.

I probably answered my own question, but like I said before. Just wanted to throw it out there to gather some input/opinions.
Thanks dude!