Noises and VSC

[josh220]

Went offroading the other day, and found VSC to be almost annoying. Should it kick in so excessively? Also, it kept making a "spring" noise, and was occasionally followed by clicks. Is that normal?

I'm glad to have VSC for onroad driving, but it seems like a PITA when on trails.

 

[josh220]

Bump

 

[Falls]

Yes it does make annoying noises. Locking the center diff disconnects the VSC , but if you spinning the Atrac will be making noises.

Annoying yes , but both Atrac / VSC does it's job.

Thats why I always wanted a VSC disconnect switch like the 08's and up have .

 

[josh220]

Yes it does make annoying noises. Locking the center diff disconnects the VSC , but if you spinning the Atrac will be making noises.

Annoying yes , but both Atrac / VSC does it's job.

Thats why I always wanted a VSC disconnect switch like the 08's and up have .

Yeah, I was wishing I had one of those. Would going into 4Lo next time reduce the annoyance?

And all of those spring and clicking noises are normal? It sounded like a big spring inside my steering column.

 

[josh220]

Bump??

 

[Falls]

Yeah, I was wishing I had one of those. Would going into 4Lo next time reduce the annoyance?

And all of those spring and clicking noises are normal? It sounded like a big spring inside my steering column.

You are correct

 

[gizmopt2002]

Yup. All those noises are normal.

Though wiring in a switch can make it stop, making it a traditional 4WD vehicle.

 

[gizmopt2002]

Also, it should be noted that ALL V8's have a VSC OFF switch.

BUT there is a catch. You need to buy the switch.

:

 

[rook]

Also, it should be noted that ALL V8's have a VSC OFF switch.

BUT there is a catch. You need to buy the switch.

:

:bs: there is more to it than adding a switch.

Josh,
Everything is normal. What you were experiencing was ATRAC clamping the brakes sending traction to the other side of the axle. If it is applied to a front wheel, it will temporarily effect the feel of the steering wheel. It does make some weird noises, kinda like the whole dash is gonna come apart.

VSC will typically kick in if the vehicle starts to skid on a loose surface. It is accompanied by a couple of beeps.

I don't believe 4-lo on its own disengages VSC. I believe you have to lock the diff.


BTW glad to hear you are out wheelin' almost thought you had a pavement princess!

 

[josh220]

:bs: there is more to it than adding a switch.

Josh,
Everything is normal. What you were experiencing was ATRAC clamping the brakes sending traction to the other side of the axle. If it is applied to a front wheel, it will temporarily effect the feel of the steering wheel. It does make some weird noises, kinda like the whole dash is gonna come apart.

VSC will typically kick in if the vehicle starts to skid on a loose surface. It is accompanied by a couple of beeps.

I don't believe 4-lo on its own disengages VSC. I believe you have to lock the diff.


BTW glad to hear you are out wheelin' almost thought you had a pavement princess!

Haha, I just never had anyone to go with, but now I do, and will be going regularly. We already have another trip planned for next Saturday.

Thanks for the info by the way, I knew the VSC made the beeps, I just wasn't sure about the other stuff. I was just making sure my brakes were fine and everything. I'm all good to go then.

Should I be fine keeping it in 4Hi, or should I try using 4Lo if I don't plan on going over 30-40 mph to reduce the annoyances?

 

[Thai]

Haha, I just never had anyone to go with, but now I do, and will be going regularly. We already have another trip planned for next Saturday.

Thanks for the info by the way, I knew the VSC made the beeps, I just wasn't sure about the other stuff. I was just making sure my brakes were fine and everything. I'm all good to go then.

Should I be fine keeping it in 4Hi, or should I try using 4Lo if I don't plan on going over 30-40 mph to reduce the annoyances?

Josh, as everyone has stated, your 4runner is working as advertised.

IMHO, when off-roading over rough terrain, i am almost always in 4-LO. The only time that i use 4-HI is over washboards (where i am going relatively fast) and in between off-roading sites. Otherwise, i use 4-LO. Unless it's a high friction surface and/or you are planning on making many U-turns, you should also lock your center diff most of the time (if not always). Locking center diff turns off VSC while providing more consistent power flow front and rear. 4-LO gives you a lot more power (torque multiplication!) and thus, a lot more control (e.g. like flying off a cliff), and this is especially important going up and down hills.

So, when off-roading, i recommend 4-LO and locking the center diff with rare exceptions.

Oh yeah, remember Land Rover saying..."as slow as possible, as fast as necessary...."

 

[josh220]

Josh, as everyone has stated, your 4runner is working as advertised.

IMHO, when off-roading over rough terrain, i am almost always in 4-LO. The only time that i use 4-HI is over washboards (where i am going relatively fast) and in between off-roading sites. Otherwise, i use 4-LO. Unless it's a high friction surface and/or you are planning on making many U-turns, you should also lock your center diff most of the time (if not always). Locking center diff turns off VSC while providing more consistent power flow front and rear. 4-LO gives you a lot more power (torque multiplication!) and thus, a lot more control (e.g. like flying off a cliff), and this is especially important going up and down hills.

So, when off-roading, i recommend 4-LO and locking the center diff with rare exceptions.

Oh yeah, remember Land Rover saying..."as slow as possible, as fast as necessary...."

Alright sounds good, thanks.

To engage/disengage the locked center diff do I just push it while in neutral at the same time I engage 4Lo? And does DAC work with the Center Diff locked?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Yes, the DAC does work. You can engage and disengage the diff lock on the fly. I find that mine engages/dis-engages more effectively if I am moving. The 4HI to 4LO switch must be stopped, in 'N'. Sometimes coasting very slowly (below 3-4mph) in 'N' helps the 4HI to 4LO shift on mine. The book says stopped though. If you are going too fast or in gear it'll just beep at you.

I wish I had cool places to go, you out west folks have it good in that sense:biggrin2:
:cheers:

 

[Thai]

To speed up locking the center diff, you may want to turn the steering wheel left or right (do NOT go left AND right). The gears for the front and rear driveshaft inside your transfer case has to line up for you to lock it. So, if you turn one way, then one gear will go slightly faster than the other gear, thus lining them up quicker. If you turn left and right repeatedly, then this may actually slow down the locking speed.

Remember, you need room to do this...so, don't go and run into a tree or something!

 

[Ruffian]

I have to be in N for both 4-Lo & the diff. I figure if the terraine is bad enough I've got to go 4-Lo, I'm disengaging VSC. The DAC & VSC freak me out when they do their job. It is very un-nerving to hear that! Sounds like you're breaking something! DAC I can do on any steep hill in any gear. But the diff. requires I'm stopped and in N. No comprise. It was a little stubbon the previous weeked when I wanted to unlock it. Didn't unlock until after I'd rolled forward a bit.

 

[Thai]

Going into 4-LO does NOT disengage VSC...locking the center diff will do that.

 

[Ruffian]

Going into 4-LO does NOT disengage VSC...locking the center diff will do that.

Yes quite right. I was very tired last night. Appologies if that's what it sounded like I meant.

 

[AmbideXtrous]

I never hear those noises when I'm wheeling. Must be something with everyone else's 4R. Oh wait, it might be because I've got the Korn cranked. Twist!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I never hear those noises when I'm wheeling. Must be something with everyone else's 4R. Oh wait, it might be because I've got the Korn cranked. Twist!

Korn and those monster meat Hankooks.:bigok: How much wheelspin do you get? Pretty near zero compared with mild A/T's or street tires...
:cheers:

 

[AmbideXtrous]

Korn and those monster meat Hankooks.:bigok: How much wheelspin do you get? Pretty near zero compared with mild A/T's or street tires...
:cheers:

Especially when compared to the Pirelli Scorpions I had on before. Generally I'm not spinning wheels unless I want to or the mud is deep and steep.