4X4 Problem?

[Triton4.6]

I have a 97 4.6 4X4 5 Speed. I had to use 4 wheel drive this weekend, it felt like I had the parking break on.(I checked it was not on) I really had to keep the RPMs up to keep it from stalling. I also noticed the smell of burning cluth. It drives perfect in 2WD. I plan to check the transfer case fluid level tonight, is there any thing else I should look for? Thanks

Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!

[Y2K 7700 4x4]

When in 4WD your front axle and your rear axle are locked together via the transfer case.

Sounds simple.

In practice, the front axle and the rear axle rotate slightly different from oneanother due to the fact that when steering, the front axle makes a different arc than does the rear axle.

The net effect is that whenever your front axle and rear axle are not going EXACTLY the same speed (like when your front tires are 99% new and your rear tires are 97% new), there exists a natural competition between the front and rear axles -- and that is what you're reporting as a parking brake-like feeling.

In short -- if you're rolling on marbles (like sand/gravel/snow), you won't notice any binding, since there's so much slipping going on that the locked transfer case is a non-issue.

If you're on dry pavement and try to turn -- especially if you're loaded -- you'll find the binding may be pronounced enough to actually hop the tire with the least traction.

Translation: Normal

------------------
Y2K™ Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"