I've got a problem w/ my 4x4, it seems to engage and work find if i'm driving straight but when I turn the wheels it starts making a poping noise from the front axle. A couple of weeks ago it was making that noise when I would shift it to 4 high. The light would come on telling me it had engaged but the noise was pretty bad so I would shift out of it. I tried it this morning and it engaged but that popping noise only came when it made a turn. It sounded pretty bad. The transfer fluids and the differential fluid was changed not too long ago, so that's good. What could this noise be? I checked the cv boots and they are intact.

 

umm... how can i put this... dont drive it full time in 4 hi.. definately not 4 lo unless using it for traction purposes or on dirt roads.... your gonna screw up your axles if you leave it in 4 hi.... my dak does it to... see theres a differential in your axle for a reason... when you make a turn, the inside wheel spins slower and the outside wheel spins faster... engaging 4hi and 40 lo locks the axles together.... so that defeats the differential's purpose... so unless you like to rebuild your front a rear axles... id suggest leave it in 2hi.. plus its mroe fuel economical... our 4x4 systems are considered "part time 4 wheel drive" as in its only needed when its necessary... look under your sun visor... should have the transfer case details.... on the newer daks... they have full time 4 wheel drive... or basically just one wheel in the front and one wheel in the rear pulss/pushes the truck.... the wheel with least resistance moves the truck.... so in 2 hi... when you make a turn.. onewheel is actually doing the work but if your on a nice straight-away... both wheels are actually pushing the truck... until you make a turn.... hope this helped

 

In short, don't use your 4-wheel on anything but dirt. I occasionally use it when pulling a boat out of the water, but only until I clear the water line.

 

i hope no one is using 4wd hi above 40-45 mph, big no no!

 

Gotcha, I'm new at this truck thing, this is my first truck. The manual doesn't do much to explain the procedure. so let me get this straigt, I should only use 4x4 when stuck, or slipping? and going straight? Now, should I stop when I engage the 4x4 or just go real slow. I knew I couldn't use it at high speeds, I was just trying to see if it would engage. we got some snow here in Montana last night, probably more on the way. Need to know if my four wheel drive works before i really need it.

 

As f0x explained, when the 4x4 is engaged the axles lock together. When turning the outside tire has to turn more then the inside tire, which will build up then "pop" to release the pressure under the tires. This is not a good thing for your diff/axles. Now if your in dirt you do not need to worry about this issue do to your tires will slip due to the dusty, rocky, muddy conditions to release the pressure.

Shift in 4x4 high while in a slight roll, but I think you can do it from a stopped position. Use it until 40-45 mph.

I forget if you move or stay still to go into low, as I never have had to use it, and only use it till you not stuck or out of whatever made you go for 4x4 low in the first place, then go back to hi.

As for snow on asphalt...i do not know. I would think that if your in enough snow to worry about it, then there will be enough to let your tires slip enough to release the pressure. I have never driven in snow with a 4x4 and had to use it myself.

Happy truckin



edit*** go into your profile and edit your signature to list your truck. It makes it easier for you when you ask questions, then you don't have to explain everytime what you have and we don't have to ask.

 

yuse 4 wheel drive when your on either dirty or slippery surfaces.. dont sue it on straights... its pointless... you can engage/disengage it up to 55 mph i believe, or whatever is said in the manual, i dont use it over 35.. whats the point of needing 4 wheel drive if you go fast?...4 lo can be engaged 2-3 mph... i engage it in neutral and let my truck roll a bit.. and go no faster then 25 mph.. all ive only used 4 wheel drive is when i cant grip the ground... only when its wet, full of dirt or snow...

 

I live in Alaska and during the winter here there will be times when I have to drive with it in 4wd all day for maybe a few days in row. I have broken all the "no-no's" of 4wd's and mine is still solid. as for driving over 45 with it engaged somtimes on the highway having 4wd engaged becomes an issue about control, one has alot more contol over the vehicle on slippery surfaces when in 4wd. What I have found out in my expirencences with 4wd that it is not as brittle as some people make it out to be. (I am not pointing any fingers, it is just a statement).

 

tried 4x4 again, it's about 9 degrees, lots of ice on the roads, it engages but any slight movement of the wheel and that popping starts up again. Sounds real bad, almost makes you get out and push the truck out of what it's stuck in rather than use 4x4. Anyone got any ideas? The truck didn't use to do this when I bought it.

 

it sounds like its getting traction but slips when you move... yea most likely its gonna do that... but at least on ice it will slip instead of dry pavement where it will being to put too much stress... my guess is that the trucks weight is causeing it to whine when your moving slowly, thats when you have your best traction, and is fighting itself, if your on anything slipepry.. your fine, mine does it, still strong