4WD newb question
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Rookie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 60
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From: Durham, NC
4WD newb question
i rarely use 4WD but over the weekend i had a chance to drive through some mud and it was super fun. one of the vehicles got stuck and i had to basically do a 3-point turn on the trail to help pull him out.
i took the truck out of 4WD to make the sharp turn and of course i got stuck while making the first turn off the trail. i straightened the wheels and put it back in 4WD to reverse. 4WD engaged and i started backing up but then the truck started bouncing (as described many times here as if i were on dry pavement). i immediately let off the gas - the bouncing probably only lasted 1 second at the most but felt like an eternity. i'm guessing the wheels weren't as straight as i thought.
i got turned around and drove the rest of the 2 mile trail in 4WD without any problem. i listened very closely for any clicking and popping but everything sounded great in 4WD. should i check some of the components to see if i messed anything up? if so, what should i be looking at?
the truck drove great on the 140 mile trip home the next day and i don't see any fluid leaks. i'm a little paranoid because i just rebuilt the transfer case about 500 miles ago.
i took the truck out of 4WD to make the sharp turn and of course i got stuck while making the first turn off the trail. i straightened the wheels and put it back in 4WD to reverse. 4WD engaged and i started backing up but then the truck started bouncing (as described many times here as if i were on dry pavement). i immediately let off the gas - the bouncing probably only lasted 1 second at the most but felt like an eternity. i'm guessing the wheels weren't as straight as i thought.
i got turned around and drove the rest of the 2 mile trail in 4WD without any problem. i listened very closely for any clicking and popping but everything sounded great in 4WD. should i check some of the components to see if i messed anything up? if so, what should i be looking at?
the truck drove great on the 140 mile trip home the next day and i don't see any fluid leaks. i'm a little paranoid because i just rebuilt the transfer case about 500 miles ago.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,453
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From: Clayton MI
Yeah, trees have a tendency to be unforgiving to body work......
If you are NOT on hard pavement, just leave it in four wheel drive. The loose surface (gravel, or, even more so... mud....) will allow the wheels to slip some, preventing major damage to your driveline parts. (and also has the perk of keeping you from getting stuck.... as easily......)
The hopping was probably a spinning tire bouncing, just back off the gas a bit, and it should quit doin' that. If you have a tire or two slipping in the gravel/mud, that's fine, that's how it is SUPPOSED to work.
If you are NOT on hard pavement, just leave it in four wheel drive. The loose surface (gravel, or, even more so... mud....) will allow the wheels to slip some, preventing major damage to your driveline parts. (and also has the perk of keeping you from getting stuck.... as easily......)
The hopping was probably a spinning tire bouncing, just back off the gas a bit, and it should quit doin' that. If you have a tire or two slipping in the gravel/mud, that's fine, that's how it is SUPPOSED to work.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
thanks, heyyou. good to know! it did stop hopping, bouncing, bucking as soon as i let off the gas. i was definitely in the mud when it occurred so hopefully the damage is minimal to none.
even with just regular tires, the truck was awesome in the mud. i can't believe we got through a few of those bogs.
even with just regular tires, the truck was awesome in the mud. i can't believe we got through a few of those bogs.