4WD major help???
- Thread starter jmrwd3
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
techno
New member
You could be getting enough front end traction to warrant not using 4wd. Since you're doing a tight turn when you feel this 'bucking', it is probably just one wheel experiencing 'wind up' untill it reaches the point where either the tire has to loose grip or something mechanical snaps. 99% of the time the tire will loose grip (and spins to where it wants to be naturally)and when it does it happens pretty fast and hence feels like something bucking. Those kind of situations are where AWD with a center diff (not engaged) works well.
A mate of mine once replaced a rear diff but accidentally got one with a different ratio, so when he was in 4wd the front wanted to turn more than the rear. Every 200-300 yards the truck would 'buck' as the rear 'caught up' to the front. In mud we didnt notice it because of the poor traction, but on gravel or dirt roads with good traction it was very noticable.
A mate of mine once replaced a rear diff but accidentally got one with a different ratio, so when he was in 4wd the front wanted to turn more than the rear. Every 200-300 yards the truck would 'buck' as the rear 'caught up' to the front. In mud we didnt notice it because of the poor traction, but on gravel or dirt roads with good traction it was very noticable.
If your 'Runner is MY '98 or earlier, it has no center differential.
If you drive on a surface with substantial traction, even damp pavement, the drive train will bind when turning, as the front and rear wheels travel different paths and need to rotate at different speeds. With no center diff, this has to occur through wheel slippage. This can damage the drive train.
For this reason, vehicles w/o a center diff are said to have "part time" 4WD. You need to limit 4WD use to slippery roads or dirt, where wheel slip can occur without damaging things.
If you drive on a surface with substantial traction, even damp pavement, the drive train will bind when turning, as the front and rear wheels travel different paths and need to rotate at different speeds. With no center diff, this has to occur through wheel slippage. This can damage the drive train.
For this reason, vehicles w/o a center diff are said to have "part time" 4WD. You need to limit 4WD use to slippery roads or dirt, where wheel slip can occur without damaging things.
