4 Wheel Drive Issue

93gmc4x4 · December 14, 2009

im not really sure how to describe this, but. anytime i put the truck in 4wd it seems when i make sharp turns or even slow turns. the back wheels start to buck? both left and right turns. (if thats way ti describe it) and it seems to bog down. i needed it for the ice issue we had this morning. alot of the roads where just wet but just incase as alot of them still had ice. is this normal if the road is wet? oh and im hearing a howling noise when its in 4 wheel, im guessing that it is being in 4 wheel. im just wondering bout this bucking issue. thanks in advnace guys. sorry if this sounds like a newb question just this is my first 4x4.

Matt_ · December 14, 2009

you should not drive the truck in 4wd on "wet" streets.

That bucking is normal... its your entire drivetrain binding because the tires were gripping the street. Which happens to not be good for the drivetrain either.

only use 4wd if you're on ice, snow, dirt, gravel, etc.

grose67 · December 14, 2009

I can't answer your question specifically, but I can pass along what I know about the older models.

1. 4 wheel drive does not like pavement! Too much traction can cause all sorts of wierd things happen, including the bucking and jumping.

2. Driving in 4 wheel drive on pavement may actually cause you to lose control. The front end can actually pull you the wrong way in a curve.

3. Having 4 wheel drive sometimes makes us all feel a little more invincible than we really are. I suggest driving in 2 wheel drive and being extra cautious. When that fails, use 4 wheel drive.

alwcurlz · December 14, 2009

you should not drive the truck in 4wd on "wet" streets.

That bucking is normal... its your entire drivetrain binding because the tires were gripping the street. Which happens to not be good for the drivetrain either.

only use 4wd if you're on ice, snow, dirt, gravel, etc.

+1

I owned a 94 Sierra...same thing.

I don't put my 99 (GMT800) in 4WD unless on packed snow or glaze uneven ice as is all over the streets here.

jro909 · December 15, 2009

plain and simple don't use 4wd unless you have to! the bucking is your truck going holy shit take me out of 4x4, when i had 4x4 for 3 years i used it maybe 4 times, why? because 2wd will take you 90% of the places you need to go, not trying to jump down your throat but 4x4 does not solve everything

Nytemare · December 15, 2009

plain and simple don't use 4wd unless you have to! the bucking is your truck going holy shit take me out of 4x4, when i had 4x4 for 3 years i used it maybe 4 times, why? because 2wd will take you 90% of the places you need to go, not trying to jump down your throat but 4x4 does not solve everything

Unless you want to do a sweet burnout....I rented an 08 4X4 Silverado once...when you shut off the Traction Control and have it in 4hi...or 4lo it will light up all 4 tires

jro909 · December 15, 2009

rentals and loaners are different, if its a loaner do some neutral drops lol

Nytemare · December 15, 2009

rentals and loaners are different, if its a loaner do some neutral drops lol

Oddly enough...I couldn't do one...like GM knew people would do this...if you rev it up and drop it in drive it would just go in gear a little harder than usual and the rpm's would just fall off and you would maybe get a little squeak out of it and it would saunter off...

That's a part of the anti abuse program...its part of TM as far as I know.

Bastards.... taking all the fun out of renting a vehicle...Wanna rent 2 cars and do a Days of Thunder on em??

alwcurlz · December 16, 2009

If you live where there is constant cold weather, snow falls and the roads are not cleared very often, then 4WD is necessary. There are many areas around town here where it's just glazed ice/packed snow which make it difficult for RWD vehicles.

93gmc4x4 · December 16, 2009

thanks for the replies guys. thats the only reason why i had it in was we had alot of freezing rain and rain mix and a few of the roads i was on where patchy ice. and being a lightly used road i didnt want to chance it. had it in 4hi and went right up with little wheel spin but once at the top and made the turn it was just wet.

jro909 · December 21, 2009

anybody read his sig "ford guy at heart" lets jump him...lol i'm just kidding, try to avoid 4x4 unless your are completly dead in the water in 2wd

rodram · December 21, 2009

... just to put in another twist on the discussion

... this is the reason that GM has put Auto4wd in newer trucks

... on these newer Auto4wd trucks there is a differential between front and back and between left and right so that you can be in auto4wd on any driving surface

Nytemare · December 21, 2009

... just to put in another twist on the discussion

... this is the reason that GM has put Auto4wd in newer trucks

... on these newer Auto4wd trucks there is a differential between front and back and between left and right so that you can be in auto4wd on any driving surface

Also the autotrac has a clutch pack instead of direct drive, so it can induce slippage in its own case.

Green_Monster · December 21, 2009

... just to put in another twist on the discussion

... this is the reason that GM has put Auto4wd in newer trucks

... on these newer Auto4wd trucks there is a differential between front and back and between left and right so that you can be in auto4wd on any driving surface

Also the autotrac has a clutch pack instead of direct drive, so it can induce slippage in its own case.

alwcurlz · December 22, 2009

I use 2WD when I know I won't be spinning my wheels and get stuck in snow, packed snow, drifted snow, ice, glazed ice roads, steep hills with loose gravel or prairie grass, cattle pasture land with heaved ground, lakeside boat ramps, ice house loading banks (ramps), and typical low maintenance roads and city streets/intersections, etc etc.

Buying a 2WD only truck around here will only get you stuck or staying home.