Tire Stutter with Autotrac

[carguru]

I just notice something yesterday morning.  I had auto 4wd on for the last week with all the rain and ice and stuff.  I notice that the front tires were trying to grab for traction as I was trying maneuver around this dufus in a Sport Trac.  I was doing less than 5 mph and had the wheel turned to extreme right.  This was the first time I noticed the truck ever doing this.  Has anyone else ever notice this?  I guess there is some small amount of torque transferred to the front wheels and the system is not fully off when auto 4wd is on.  I've only noticed the front tires stutter on the Denali and H2 I've test driven.  That was sort of expected since they are AWD vehicles (OK the H2 is a permanent 4WD.).

[99silveradoz71]

As others have noted previously, when you're in 4wd and turning at a low speed, the tires are turning at different speeds and there is less momentum to carry them through the turn, thus the tightness and rubbing you may feel.  It's a normal sensation for the situation.

[Shaners]

When AutoTrac is engaged the front differential is locked in and the transfer case is freewheeling.  When slip is noticed, the transfer case will then engage providing power to the front wheels.  Therefore, it shouldn't be unusual to feel the front wheels grabbing in tight corners....

[BDBWTE]

Heck my truck tries to eat the road it on if you have it in 4 wheel drive and turn on dry pavement.. It bounces all over the place so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Markeaux]

The shudder at full lock is normal in auto 4wd mode.  Somewhere in a New and Improved blurb for 2003 trucks/suv's GM said they improved that problem so there's probably less of a shudder (if any) on the 03's.

 

I'm surprised to hear the full time 4wd on the Denali (and I presume Escalade) shudders at full lock ... seems like they would have tried harder to eliminate it what with those being the flagship models.