4WD mode has lots of drag... issues?

RinoRomp

RinoRomp

New member
Hi All,

Coming from a 2wd tacoma, I'm excited to get into 4WD and do a little romping around.. It's a 98 SR5 3.4 with 117k miles. :cheers:

Bad thing is this was an auction car, with a few issues that I'll be fixing or have fixed already (brake booster, belts, rear shocks, oil leak, random things loose or disconnected, etc.). I don't know any of the history but can assume little or no maintenance has been done for what's needed over 100k. So water pump and timing belt are next on the list.

So the question: when I put it into 4WD H or L it seems like there is a lot of drag on the drivetrain, almost like the e brake is on a little. SO as a noob 4wheeler, is this normal?

2WD runs very smooth and can coast easily. When its in 4WD it wont even move when put in drive and let off the break. It seems like it takes quite a bit of gas to get her up and moving and its pretty loud when doing so.

I have yet to grease the driveshafts up yet but that shouldn't make much difference.

Any ideas? Is this normal? Ive searched and haven't found any issues related...

EDIT: Added video
Ok, here's the video of me putting around with my attempt at narration...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEs_djfNvPU


..

..
 
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4WD hi should have zero to very little drag. I notice a very little in Hi. Very normal for low to have drag as its lowering your gear ratio for crawling. If 4wd hi feels just as much drag as when in low I would say thats not normal.
 
RinoRomp said:
2WD runs very smooth and can coast easily. When its in 4WD it wont even move when put in drive and let off the break.
Click to expand...

There is the tiniest bit of additional drag when in 4WD, and the steering in particular will feel heavy. But what you're describing isn't normal.
 
Ack, yeah I was worried this is the case... the drag is far more than "very little drag" and very noticeable.

This was a very clean truck so doubt it was used in 4wd often. Also looked like it carried a trailer (wired up with a trailer braking system).

we talking bearings? transfer case? tranny? Any ideas on what to check for?
 
You should be able to put it in 2wd, go under the vehicle and spin the front drive shaft. It should spin freely, see if there is any resistance.
 
Probably not bearings or a CV, or it'd do it in 2wd too I think? Not sure what would do that, actually. You can rule out the transfer case by dropping the front driveshaft and seeing if the problem still exists. If it isn't the tcase it almost has to be the front diff.

edit- nevermind, Turbo has the better idea. That's much less work. :)
 
Are you going straight, or turning when you did that test? Straight should be no problem, but if your wheels are cocked to one side then yes, it will feel like you brakes are on and be very hard to turn.
 
2014 Warthog said:
Are you going straight, or turning when you did that test? Straight should be no problem, but if your wheels are cocked to one side then yes, it will feel like you brakes are on and be very hard to turn.
Click to expand...

What he said!!

Also is there a noticeable difference between 4wd hi and 4wd lo? And how are you engaging 4wd hi? Push button or do you shift the 4x4 lever? Because from what it sounds like, its always in 4wd lo.
 
In 4wd - I get drag both straight and turning, but definitely a heavy wheel when turning like mentioned before.

Ive got a shift lever, seems to function right, dash 4wd light comes on and goes off when going back to 2wd. I think there is definitely a difference in RPM/gear ratio from 4wd L to 4wd H, so I don't think one is stuck in another.

I'll have to jack the front end up and check... I'll go put around with it now and report back...
 
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Ok, going straight should be almost indistinguishable between 2HI and 4HI.

If the 4x function saw little or no use for years, it may just be a lot of gummed up parts. Bearings, CVs etc. Hopefully nothing worse. Maybe driving around a bit will get things loosened up. (Check oil in front diff and transfer case!)
 
2014 Warthog said:
Ok, going straight should be almost indistinguishable between 2HI and 4HI.

If the 4x function saw little or no use for years, it may just be a lot of gummed up parts. Bearings, CVs etc. Hopefully nothing worse. Maybe driving around a bit will get things loosened up. (Check oil in front diff and transfer case!)
Click to expand...

I'll cross my fingers.. Just took a little video, I'll post when its uploaded.

It already seems to be getting a tad better now this is the 3rd time around the neighborhood testing it out. It always comes out of 4wd delayed so it gets me worried it will get stuck in 4wd with these issues. It's my DD so I'll need her working in 2wd no matter what. I can live without much 4x till I get under there, grease everything up and check the levels.

Meanwhile thanks for all the responses so far!
 
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RinoRomp said:
I'll cross my fingers.. Just took a little video, I'll post when its uploaded.

It already seems to be getting better now this is the 3rd time around the neighborhood testing it out. It always comes out of 4wd delayed so it gets me worried it will get stuck in 4wd with these issues. It's my DD so I'll need her working in 2wd no matter what. I can live without much 4x till I get under there, grease everything up and check the levels.

Meanwhile thanks for all the responses so far!
Click to expand...

On the 96-98's the 4x4 for hi is a button. Not the lever. The lever is for going into 4x4 lo. But im guessing you already know that.

The delay has always been a little normal when getting out of 4x4 hi. Not till the tires move does it kick out.
 
turbo8 said:
You should be able to put it in 2wd, go under the vehicle and spin the front drive shaft. It should spin freely, see if there is any resistance.
Click to expand...

He would have to jack the front off the ground too since he doesn't have manual hubs, and then he should remove the wheels since with them on it'll require a lot of force on the driveshaft to get the wheels to start moving which wouldn't help figure anything out if it's a pain to turn everything. Sorry if that's what you meant but didn't go as much in depth...


And if it was me I would do the above and start with the transfercase in neutral and if it persists then remove the driveshaft from the transfer case so you can see if it's just the front end or if the transfer case is also dragging in neutral (which it obviously shouldn't).
 
JayRolla said:
On the 96-98's the 4x4 for hi is a button. Not the lever. The lever is for going into 4x4 lo. But im guessing you already know that.

The delay has always been a little normal when getting out of 4x4 hi. Not till the tires move does it kick out.
Click to expand...

I believe this is for limited's only. My 97 sr5 uses the lever to go into high or low 4wd. I do not have a button for 4wd at all.
 
JayRolla said:
On the 96-98's the 4x4 for hi is a button. Not the lever. The lever is for going into 4x4 lo. But im guessing you already know that.
Click to expand...

That's true only for the '96-'98 Limted's. The Base and SR5 models are shifted in and out of 4wd. with the T-case lever.
 
snivilous said:
He would have to jack the front off the ground too since he doesn't have manual hubs, and then he should remove the wheels since with them on it'll require a lot of force on the driveshaft to get the wheels to start moving which wouldn't help figure anything out if it's a pain to turn everything. Sorry if that's what you meant but didn't go as much in depth...


And if it was me I would do the above and start with the transfercase in neutral and if it persists then remove the driveshaft from the transfer case so you can see if it's just the front end or if the transfer case is also dragging in neutral (which it obviously shouldn't).
Click to expand...

It has A.D.D., so he can spin the DS.
 
Run 4 Fun said:
I believe this is for limited's only. My 97 sr5 uses the lever to go into high or low 4wd. I do not have a button for 4wd at all.
Click to expand...

I guess I should have mentioned its an SR5.

My lever:

N4yfRHm.png
 
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