I have a 2003 F150 with a normal/high/low 4X4 switch on the dash. Out in the snow tonight, in a parking lot, the truck became very hard to maneuver in high four wheel drive getting in and out of a parking space in snow covered lot. In a somewhat tight turn, it did not want to go forwards or back, so I straightened the wheels and put in two wheel drive and slid out of there.
Is this normal? Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Mike
Well, as I wasn't sitting in the cab with you, it's hard to say. If you were cutting the front wheels hard and felt the truck "hopping" then yes, this is normal.
Thanks, A. I was getting worried.
It is also not a good thing to be doing to your truck.
=============================================================== Mike,
This is normal with any 4WD vehicle when trying to make tight turns. You should try to avoid tight turns, as that is the easiest way to destroy the U-joints at the outer ends of the front axle. Make long sweeping turns--not tight ones. If you have to get into a tight parking space, disengage the 4WD.
RON ======================================================== Remove the ZZZ from my E-mail address to send me E-mail.
You are experiancing torque steer form the fact that your front axle ujoints are not constant velocity and they can bind a lot in a tight turn with good traction. My advice to you is to not try to bind id it much because it can shorten the life expectance of front end some. Use
2wd for tight turns when traction is good. A 4x4 with a IFS front end with CV joints in it does not bind anywhere near as bad in tight turns.
Thanks for the good advice, guys. I appreciate it.
I've driven a Ford truck for many many years. This is my first with a 4 wheel drive.
Mike
Hiya, Mike,
I'm still very much a FWD newbie myself. Try here:
S-M
That is 4WD, not FWD. Unless you meant to say "Front Wheel Drive".
Nope. You're right. My mistake.
But, hey, I said I was a newbie ;-)
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