Jerky braking in 4-LO

[cali_axela]

Just want to see if this is at all normal, since I haven't had my T4R for very long now and am just starting to really get to know it.

V8 4WD SE model; the center diff lock engages/disengages fine and relatively quickly, which I checked before buying it, and the switch between 4-hi and 4-lo works pretty quick and reliably too. However, when it's in 4-lo, it has a pretty nasty shudder/jerk when slowing down, no matter how smooth I try to drive it. Is this at all normal, or is there anything maintenance-wise that might help alleviate it? It drives like a dream in 4-hi, which I leave it in 99% of the time, but I do want to make sure 4-lo will work properly when I actually need it.

It has 56k miles on it and as far as I can tell the diff/transfer case fluid has never been changed, so I will probably tackle that this weekend. Just wondering if this is a sign of larger problems or if it's considered normal-ish.

 

[cali_axela]

Anyone? Bueller? Even a simple "yeah I get that sometimes" or "no, my V8 in 4-LO is smooth as silk when braking to a stop" would help... thanks

 

[JB.]

Just want to see if this is at all normal, since I haven't had my T4R for very long now and am just starting to really get to know it.

V8 4WD SE model; the center diff lock engages/disengages fine and relatively quickly, which I checked before buying it, and the switch between 4-hi and 4-lo works pretty quick and reliably too. However, when it's in 4-lo, it has a pretty nasty shudder/jerk when slowing down, no matter how smooth I try to drive it. Is this at all normal, or is there anything maintenance-wise that might help alleviate it? It drives like a dream in 4-hi, which I leave it in 99% of the time, but I do want to make sure 4-lo will work properly when I actually need it.

It has 56k miles on it and as far as I can tell the diff/transfer case fluid has never been changed, so I will probably tackle that this weekend. Just wondering if this is a sign of larger problems or if it's considered normal-ish.

Weird. Maybe check to see if the DAC button is pushed (center console, under your right elbow when steering).

 

[cali_axela]

Nope, DAC is not enabled, checked that... hmmm

 

[JB.]

Do you have the shifter in D? (Same as 4, only 4 gears are available in low range)

 

[Acidmeld]

I guess mine kinda does that sometimes but its usually because its reving a bit high in such a low gear.

 

[cali_axela]

Yeah, I noticed it shifts a lot harder in lo but figured that was normal because of the shorter ratios involved. What freaks me out, is that when coming up to a stop in lo, there's a pretty significant lurch/shudder right before coming to a complete stop, and I can't imagine it's supposed to do that. Now that I know to expect it it's not that bad, but the first couple times was just like whoa, you know?

 

[Acidmeld]

That happens alot during normal driving but its probably just alot more noticable with the shorter gearing. You could try to clear the trans learned values. If yours is an 05 or earlier u can disconnect the battery for a half hour. If its 06 up you have to use the dealers scantool.

 

[cali_axela]

Half an hour!? Can't you just step on the brakes for a couple seconds with the negative terminal disconnected to clear everything? That's a trick I learned a while ago and has worked on all my previous cars.

 

[eskimochaos]

Its normal, it up and down shifts quite abruptly. If in a high gear, it likes to down shift in rapid succession as you approaching a complete stop.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[cali_axela]

Thanks, I'm getting used to it, trying to drive it just a couple miles around the city in lo to exercise it, don't think it got used much by the PO. It's coming up at 60k miles soon and I'm wondering if it's more important to replace the diff, tcase, or ATX fluid first if I only have time to do a couple this weekend before its first long trip up to Tahoe? Any suggestions? Not sure what the easiest way to check the condition of all the current fluids is, for all I know some have been recently replaced. It has a new air filter, recent oil change, but no record of driveline/chassis fluid service, or spark plugs, so I guess I'll be inspecting those too sooner rather than later.

 

[Burt]

Sounds like symtoms of the ever popular "driveline thunk" issue. Make sure you lube both of the driveshaft expansion joints.

 

[cali_axela]

Yep, tomorrow I'm gonna go pick up a tube of mobile1 synthetic grease and a grease gun w/ flexible hose per the threads I found here and go for it.