Stiff Steering While Engaged in 4wd

Word. Thanks for the input dude!

 

I've never felt my steering to be any tighter in 4wd unless I'm turning on a surface that has more traction and the drivetrain is fighting back against the steering (it happens sometimes...come across a solid rock platform offroad with a lot of traction or forget to turn 4wd off once the trail is over).

What you're describing sounds like drivetrain bind up to me but if it's happening at all times in 4wd it might be something different. Afraid I'm not sure what else it could be

 

Have only used 4x4 in the snow so that I’m sure would mask any stiffness in 4x4. Mine got the intermediate shaft problem at around 80k. The symptom for me was the steering didn’t return to center after turning a corner. Replaced the shaft and been trouble free since. At 168k now.

 

Can you drive with 2wdH on wet roads though, including maybe making some turns?

 

FIFY

Sweeping turns are ok. Parking lot turns not so much. You will feel the steering bind up. The wheels also may skip/chirp. Don’t do that.

 

Oh yeah, I know you should not make tight turns using it. I was thinking if it rains and I need the extra traction, if I can drive with it in 4wd on wet roads. I had a Silverado that when it rained I would put the dial in Auto mode, when rear wheels slipped the fronts would engage.

 

Wet pavement still isn't slippery enough to safely use 4wd. If you lack grip in 2wd maybe consider changing tires or driving habits. Also some weight in the bed can help

 

Oh sweet Jesus I've seen way to many of these sharp turns in 4x4 threads on here

 

The Silverado had a different system.

The 4X4 system used in Tacoma is an old school "dumb" system that isn't really any different than what was used 100 years ago. When engaged the front and rear axles are locked together and it tries to force all 4 wheels to turn at the same speed. It is a simple, inexpensive system that is still the best system for hard-core off-road driving where traction is poor. Or on pavement in limited situations.

When cornering the inside wheels have less distance to travel, but since they are turning at the same speed they need to slip slightly on the ground. Especially the front inside wheel when moving forward or the rear inside wheel when in reverse. If traction is too good to allow some slip you can break drive line components. Even slight turns puts excessive wear on components. They may not fail immediately, but continued use will lead to premature parts failure.

Some newer systems use data from wheel speed sensors to send power to all 4 wheels, yet let them turn at varying speeds. That is what your Silverado had. This is similar to All Wheel Drive like Subaru and many other small SUV's use. That system works great on wet pavement, light snow, or mild offroad conditions. But in harsh offroad conditions or deep snow where traction is really poor it isn't as good as the old school 4X4. These systems cost a lot more too.

Back in the 1970's when I 1st started driving 4X4's everyone knew how and when to engage 4x4 and no one had these issues. But by the late 70's some of the newer AWD, and Full Time 4X4 systems started to be put on vehicles. Lots of folks today don't understand the difference. Some can be used on pavement, some cannot. Tacoma cannot.

 

Turning isn't allowed. Whenever I'm at an intersection I wait for another Tacoma to approach in the direction I want to go, and we trade vehicles.

Yesterday was a challenge because i traded with a guy leaving the store I wanted to go towards, so I had to drive backwards for about a mile. But at least that truck had hated seats, so that was nice.