2010 4Runner SR5. I'm curious why... when in 4 wheel drive, (H-4), and have the wheel turned all the way to the right or left, and from a stopped position. When I start to move the the vehicle, the rear wheel seems to hesitate and slip then lockup, slip then lockup in sperts. As when backing out of a parking lot parking spot or going around a very sharp right or left turn at a very low speed. The wheel is locking up, then engaging. It locks up and does not move, (while the truck is moving) then gives traction, but in sperts. I can feel it locking up and the wheel skidding in short sperts. I've have had a passenger watch the rear wheels from outside the truck and its locking up as I move slowly even on dry pavement. Is there something wrong with this 4 wheel drive? I don't think this is normal. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
2010 4 Wheel Drive Problem with Sharp Low Speed Turns
- Thread starter mrjonm
- Start date
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Yes, I searched the manual but nothing in there about the rear wheels locking up at low speed sharp cornering. This does not happen when wheel is straight forward. It only happens when the wheel is turned all the way to the right or left, and it happens in forward and reverse.
4ShoreRunner
New member
Reading that post makes me cringe...
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/axle-wind-up.html
The SR5s and Trails utilize a part-time 4WD set-up and should only be used when conditions allow wheel slippage. They aren't to be used on dry pavement.
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/axle-wind-up.html
The SR5s and Trails utilize a part-time 4WD set-up and should only be used when conditions allow wheel slippage. They aren't to be used on dry pavement.
hamiltonj2w1
New member
This is true and I believe Toyota will change the part-time 4wd due to salesmen not informing the customers and the customers not reading manual
When you placed the part time 4wd system into 4hi (or 4low) you locked the front and rear together. There is no torsen differential like the full time AWD systems have, so both front and rear are forced to move at the same speed.
When a vehicle moves around corners, all of the tires need to move at slightly different speeds. If they can't it puts significant stress on the entire driveline, causing binding (which is what you're feeling) or even breakage of some very expensive parts.
Moral of the story: Only use 4wd in slippery conditions (gravel, sand, ice, snow) that allows for the wheels to slip on the road surface, and try to avoid full lock turns.
READ THIS from HowStuffWorks It's very informative with lots of nice pictures and flash animations!
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Thank you all very much for giving me an education on part time 4WD. And thank god I havent driven it on solid pavement at 70mph. So what your saying is that these truck back wheels should skip when backing out of a driveway onto the street in 4WD and this is normal? This is the only time I've experienced this problem. Less than 3mph with the wheel cocked all the way right or left.
No, they are saying you shouldn't back out of the driveway in 4wd or else the wheels will skip (same thing, just completely different). So no, this is NOT normal. Don't do it.
Don't use 4wd unless you need to, if you are on pavement, you don't need to.
4ShoreRunner
New member
Yeah...regardless of speed if you are on dry pavement you will do damage when making sharp turns.
What you are feeling is the tension being built up in the driveline and then the tire slipping to relieve that tension. As long as that tension can be relieved you're ok.
If you can feel it binding up and you have to hit the gas harder just to make it move, dont. You can take the vehicle out of reverse and back in to drive and move a few feet in the opposite direction to relieve some of that stress. Though, if its binding that hard you shouldn't be in 4wd anyway.
Don't use 4wd unless you've already tried to get up something and slipped, or know for sure that it is very slippery.
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I dont usually use 4wd on pavement. In fact, this was the first time. I just tried the same situation on on dry pavement (backing out of a parking spot) because I first noticed this problem when backing out on top of snow. So I just wanted to see if it had the same problem on a different road surface. I now understand about the dry pavement and the damage it can cause thanks to all your links and explenations. Its helped me understand how part time 4wd works....and sucks. But I have two feet of snow in the driveway. So I just shouldn't back out of anywhere in snow using 4WD??
sandcrawler
Senior Member
i'm glad the OP got the information he needed. just reading the subject line of this post was like fingernails on a blackboard for me...
sandcrawler
Senior Member
call me pessimistic, but if salesmen (and customers) don't understand how to use the p/t 4wd i think Toyota is more likely to view the service repairs down the road as an additional revenue stream than it is to toss in an expensive Torsen (and either raise prices or eat the add'l cost).
B'klyn_Mike
New member
To the OP and anyone else interested - try this link for a better understanding of how Toyota's 4 Wheel Drive Systems function: 4WD Simplified Version 4.0
Mike :artist:
Mike :artist:
sandcrawler
Senior Member
here's the latest version that correctly delineates the 2010+ 4Runner 4WD modes.
TheSentinel
New member
Very Cool, thanks for the link.
Ryan_S
New member
Seriously? Doubtful.
It all comes down to paying attention and knowing what you just bought. If you dont like PT 4wd, don't buy a 4R period.
@OP: hope youre feeling informed and enjoy your new 4R.
hamiltonj2w1
New member
Seriously? I know exactly what I bought I am not the one asking questions? I like the part time 4wd I am just saying there are alot of people who are going to trash their transfer cases and blame the dealer for not telling them. I think you should pay attention to what you buy and this is the whole reason I traded my perfectly good 04 SR5 for my new Trail is for the Part time 4wd with a lever not the knob.
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