Tim Smith
09-04-2009, 10:24 AM
Been driving around in front wheel drive for a few days now while I'm waiting for the new U-joints on the rear shaft to arrive. As things are, the rear drive shaft is out and I've been driving in four wheel high.
For background, normally I get around in two wheel high with the front hubs unlocked. I have noticed a problem with four wheel in the past where it feels like the front diff is not at the same gear ratio as the rear. Never really was sure what the problem was but I think I've just gotten a little closer to figuring it out. ;)
A couple of things I've noticed while in FWD:
If I accelerate in a turn, the steering pulls from left to right as if it were releasing the build up in different wheel speeds. I liken this to turning on tarmac when in four wheel.
Driving along at around 45, every once in a while there is a skip and the truck sort of feels like it just missed a tooth in the gear. This doesn't happen reliably such that you can time it or anticipate it.
I turned the wheel to full lock in a gravel driveway to test the front diff. If I do not accelerate then the steering wheel doesn't pull much at all like it does in the first bullet but if you give it any throttle, the truck starts bucking and hopping about uncontrollably.
I accelerated from one stop sign and in the middle of the intersection (just at my shift point from 1st into 2nd) I went through a divot/hole in the road. Again the truck started bucking and bouncing. It was almost uncontrollable until I let off the throttle. As if the power to the wheels was feeding the reaction.
My guess is the spider gears in the front diff have ceased. Whats your guess?
For background, normally I get around in two wheel high with the front hubs unlocked. I have noticed a problem with four wheel in the past where it feels like the front diff is not at the same gear ratio as the rear. Never really was sure what the problem was but I think I've just gotten a little closer to figuring it out. ;)
A couple of things I've noticed while in FWD:
If I accelerate in a turn, the steering pulls from left to right as if it were releasing the build up in different wheel speeds. I liken this to turning on tarmac when in four wheel.
Driving along at around 45, every once in a while there is a skip and the truck sort of feels like it just missed a tooth in the gear. This doesn't happen reliably such that you can time it or anticipate it.
I turned the wheel to full lock in a gravel driveway to test the front diff. If I do not accelerate then the steering wheel doesn't pull much at all like it does in the first bullet but if you give it any throttle, the truck starts bucking and hopping about uncontrollably.
I accelerated from one stop sign and in the middle of the intersection (just at my shift point from 1st into 2nd) I went through a divot/hole in the road. Again the truck started bucking and bouncing. It was almost uncontrollable until I let off the throttle. As if the power to the wheels was feeding the reaction.
My guess is the spider gears in the front diff have ceased. Whats your guess?