Rookie 4X4 Question

[Gator2000]

I engaged my 4-Hi & 4-Lo setting today after turning onto my street. 2 Questions: (These may be stupid, but I've never had 4 wheel drive before)

1) Is it normal to hear a clunk when the transmission is making the change from 2WD to 4WD...it was louder when going to 4-Lo, but I also heard it going to 4-Hi?

2) Is it normal to hear what can only be described as "loud turning" and is it normal for it to be difficult to make sharp turns while in 4WD? Almost sounded like something was grinding, but I think it was just a loud turning noise. I didn't hear it when going straight.

Just checking to make sure I don't have a problem.

Thanks in advance ,
Gator

 

[rexbandit]

Gator,

Typically you do hear a "clunk" when the 4 wheel engages/disengages.

Be really careful about putting your Av in 4LO on dry pavement. You could end up twisting something off. You need to have a littel slip when you are turning since the tires are rotating at the same speed. Since the outside tires are in a greater arc the inside tires have to slip to maintain the same rotation. If they can't, something has to give.
There have been some discussion on this on some of the other threads.
Welcome to the 4-wheel world!

 

[wrchism]

Some amount of clunking is normal shifting in and out of 4WD and in and out of LO range. As for 'hard turning' and the associated noise, this is a part time 4WD system - you should NOT be in 4WD on dry pavement. If you are on snow, sand, or dirt; these surfaces allow for wheel slip and you should not notice steering problems. On dry pavement, with no center differential, the tires have to skid and / or hop to make up for the speed differences - not a good thing. While the driveline will be a bit noisier in 4WD, you should NEVER hear metal on metal grinding - a sure sign of more serious trouble.

 

[Gator2000]

Thanks for the replies guys. Very helpful. I won't be putting her in 4WD on dry pavement anymore

 

[Winterq]

Gator,
You've gotten some excellant advise thus far. Keep in mind you can be in 4WD on Dry pavement as long as you are not going to be making any turns. Such as pooling a boat out of the water, or even more fun a Ford out of a ditch. I'm sure you'll be like the rest of us with 4x4, always looking for an excuse to engage it.

Enjoy your new beast!

 

[RichUF]

mine doesn't make noise when going to 4Hi. It does make a "ding" noise when going into 4lo. Not a clunk. Kind of like a hammer ding on a solid piece of metal.