Nbs 4wd Problems....?

pj8556 · September 27, 2007

I think I have problems with my 4WD in my '07 Sierra. I have about 9000 miles on my truck and have never really used my 4WD system. When it was new I made sure it engaged and disengaged, seemed to work fine, all 4 tires hooked up and back to 2wd when told to do so.

Tonight I used my 4WD, and found to have whining, grinding, and axle binding, tires were fighting each other trying to spin. All when slowly turning on pavement, now this was not sharp turns either, I was scared to turn any sharper or go any faster while turning. In a straight line and in Auto 4wd the system worked fine. The truck seemed to fight itself, if I let off the gas in a not-so-sharp turn the truck would bind itself to a stop, there is definety resitance and binding of the axles. What the heck is going on??

Also, in LO 4WD, The truck seems to slip, I dont know if its the tranny or transfer case but there is major slippage, truck revs 4000-5000 rpms but truck hardly moves, this cannot be normal?? can it?? There is also some whining and somewhat weird noises coming from underneath.

Now, I did just install a 2" Rough Country leveling kit. Can this have anything to do with the binding in 4wd mode while turning??

I will be taking the truck in but wanted to hear opinions, ideas and any other similar experiences.

Thanks much, Paul

rossn2 · September 27, 2007

Don't know about the rest of the people on this forum, but you do not run a truck in 4WD on dry pavement. You will experience the problems your encountering and may have caused damaged to the system. These trucks will bind in 4WD when turning in dirt, especially at slow speed, and if you have the wheel all the way to right or left. You can even pop the front axle assembly out of the boot. When operating in 4WD you want to keep the front wheels pretty straight to slight turning only to keep from binding.

Also, by adding the 2" leveling kit you may have changed th geometry of the drive line causing additional friction within the driveline and possibly voided your warranty. A few years back GM issued a notice to all the dealerships to void any driveline related warranty issues on any truck that had been raised, oversize tires, etc., if installed by the consumer. They required the consumer to put the vehicle back to factory specifications prior to warranty work on the driveline components.

I think I have problems with my 4WD in my '07 Sierra. I have about 9000 miles on my truck and have never really used my 4WD system. When it was new I made sure it engaged and disengaged, seemed to work fine, all 4 tires hooked up and back to 2wd when told to do so.

Tonight I used my 4WD, and found to have whining, grinding, and axle binding, tires were fighting each other trying to spin. All when slowly turning on pavement, now this was not sharp turns either, I was scared to turn any sharper or go any faster while turning. In a straight line and in Auto 4wd the system worked fine. The truck seemed to fight itself, if I let off the gas in a not-so-sharp turn the truck would bind itself to a stop, there is definety resitance and binding of the axles. What the heck is going on??

Also, in LO 4WD, The truck seems to slip, I dont know if its the tranny or transfer case but there is major slippage, truck revs 4000-5000 rpms but truck hardly moves, this cannot be normal?? can it?? There is also some whining and somewhat weird noises coming from underneath.

Now, I did just install a 2" Rough Country leveling kit. Can this have anything to do with the binding in 4wd mode while turning??

I will be taking the truck in but wanted to hear opinions, ideas and any other similar experiences.

Thanks much, Paul

Jameson · September 27, 2007

I cant believe that GM's 4WD system would suck so bad on pavement. Ive had many 4x4's and never had this problem, for the exception of a hard turn it may hop a little. Also, a 2.5" leveling kit should change the drive line angles so drastically to cause damage. You usually dont see drive line issues on suspension lifts until you start going over 4".

Ben · September 27, 2007

It's working just fine, but this is why I've stopped recommending 4x4 to anyone

asking if they should get it. Thought the additional volume would be good for

pricing and availability, but worked against us old time 4x4'ers.

Now say "if you have to ask, don't get it, you'll know when you need/want it"

Too many think it's okay to drive on pavement or any good traction

surface. It's not and the system will protest just like your description

and will even break things in a hurry if the radius is small.

The 4x4's today are too complex and expensive, IMHO.

Why there is a 3rd differential in AWD/FullTime/etc four wheelers.

Notice didn't say 4x4, as that means it has a transfer case with a compound

low.

That 3rd differential does the same thing as the differential on the axle

does....prevents from breaking the axles...in this case the drive line

components.

That 'protest' is called 'crow hopping', which is the winding up of stresses

in the drive line and one or more of the tires finally loses traction by

skidding or jumping off the pavement.

On another forum, had a guy say hogwash and it's made to do so on

any surface. Told him he couldn't run more than 3 circles at steering

wheel lock in either direction while in 4x4 lock. He busted something,

but would not say. I've had this with others in person and they ussually

can't go a full circle before their rig's bind and won't go without full

throttle, which warn them will break things.

asilverblazer · September 27, 2007

Sounds normal for ANY 4x4 to me.

neoh77 · September 27, 2007

There are pros and cons to the Gm setup. I find they work better in snow as the front and rear are always being driven..add a locking rear axle and you can get power to 3 wheels at a time. Other full time systems are fluid coupled instead of chains and gears..these systems allow for slippage and usage on high traction surfaces. They don't work as well off-road or in the snow. Sometimes they have a 3rd diff to as Ben mentioned. I whole-heartedly agree with Ben BTW.

4WD has come a long way..no more locking hubs..no stopping to engage 4-hi etc.

As for the original post...everything mentioned sounds normal. The whine is from non-helical cut gears in 4LO..they're stronger. The downfall is that they WHINE. Ever wonder why old military transports whine so much and race cars whine so much? straight cut gears! The high revs? Well you are geared down and you shouldn't be going much more than 20mph anyhow in 4lo. I think the top speed is like 40 in the manual (on my old truck).

All my .02

-Matt

hoorders · September 27, 2007

Don't know about the rest of the people on this forum, but you do not run a truck in 4WD on dry pavement. You will experience the problems your encountering and may have caused damaged to the system. These trucks will bind in 4WD when turning in dirt, especially at slow speed, and if you have the wheel all the way to right or left. You can even pop the front axle assembly out of the boot. When operating in 4WD you want to keep the front wheels pretty straight to slight turning only to keep from binding.

Also, by adding the 2" leveling kit you may have changed th geometry of the drive line causing additional friction within the driveline and possibly voided your warranty. A few years back GM issued a notice to all the dealerships to void any driveline related warranty issues on any truck that had been raised, oversize tires, etc., if installed by the consumer. They required the consumer to put the vehicle back to factory specifications prior to warranty work on the driveline components.

I think I have problems with my 4WD in my '07 Sierra. I have about 9000 miles on my truck and have never really used my 4WD system. When it was new I made sure it engaged and disengaged, seemed to work fine, all 4 tires hooked up and back to 2wd when told to do so.

Tonight I used my 4WD, and found to have whining, grinding, and axle binding, tires were fighting each other trying to spin. All when slowly turning on pavement, now this was not sharp turns either, I was scared to turn any sharper or go any faster while turning. In a straight line and in Auto 4wd the system worked fine. The truck seemed to fight itself, if I let off the gas in a not-so-sharp turn the truck would bind itself to a stop, there is definety resitance and binding of the axles. What the heck is going on??

Also, in LO 4WD, The truck seems to slip, I dont know if its the tranny or transfer case but there is major slippage, truck revs 4000-5000 rpms but truck hardly moves, this cannot be normal?? can it?? There is also some whining and somewhat weird noises coming from underneath.

Now, I did just install a 2" Rough Country leveling kit. Can this have anything to do with the binding in 4wd mode while turning??

I will be taking the truck in but wanted to hear opinions, ideas and any other similar experiences.

Thanks much, Paul

I dont think you caused any damage and it sounds like normal operation of your 4wd you are describing. Our 'factory' trucks dont come with true front differential lockers, so driving on pavement or on decent traction surfaces should not cause any damage......I do agree that you certianly dont want to be making sharp corners on these surfaces though and frankly you really should have no reason to be in 4wd on pavement.......unless you are pulling someone out of a ditch............

pj8556 · September 28, 2007

Guys, I am not talking about sharp high speed turns on pavement for a long duration, this was five minutes just testing out the 4wd system, this slightest turn of the wheel causes binding and slowing of the vehicle, in no way did I do damage to my truc, im not an idiot. But i have had 4wd GM trucks in the past and none of them acted like this. there is some serious resitance and groaning while turning in 4wd. and in 4lo, there is some slippage in the drivetrain even at the slowest speeds. i am going to take it in on monday because obviously i cannot explain it. we'll see what they say.

thanks for the replies

Don't know about the rest of the people on this forum, but you do not run a truck in 4WD on dry pavement. You will experience the problems your encountering and may have caused damaged to the system. These trucks will bind in 4WD when turning in dirt, especially at slow speed, and if you have the wheel all the way to right or left. You can even pop the front axle assembly out of the boot. When operating in 4WD you want to keep the front wheels pretty straight to slight turning only to keep from binding.

Also, by adding the 2" leveling kit you may have changed th geometry of the drive line causing additional friction within the driveline and possibly voided your warranty. A few years back GM issued a notice to all the dealerships to void any driveline related warranty issues on any truck that had been raised, oversize tires, etc., if installed by the consumer. They required the consumer to put the vehicle back to factory specifications prior to warranty work on the driveline components.

I think I have problems with my 4WD in my '07 Sierra. I have about 9000 miles on my truck and have never really used my 4WD system. When it was new I made sure it engaged and disengaged, seemed to work fine, all 4 tires hooked up and back to 2wd when told to do so.

Tonight I used my 4WD, and found to have whining, grinding, and axle binding, tires were fighting each other trying to spin. All when slowly turning on pavement, now this was not sharp turns either, I was scared to turn any sharper or go any faster while turning. In a straight line and in Auto 4wd the system worked fine. The truck seemed to fight itself, if I let off the gas in a not-so-sharp turn the truck would bind itself to a stop, there is definety resitance and binding of the axles. What the heck is going on??

Also, in LO 4WD, The truck seems to slip, I dont know if its the tranny or transfer case but there is major slippage, truck revs 4000-5000 rpms but truck hardly moves, this cannot be normal?? can it?? There is also some whining and somewhat weird noises coming from underneath.

Now, I did just install a 2" Rough Country leveling kit. Can this have anything to do with the binding in 4wd mode while turning??

I will be taking the truck in but wanted to hear opinions, ideas and any other similar experiences.

Thanks much, Paul

I dont think you caused any damage and it sounds like normal operation of your 4wd you are describing. Our 'factory' trucks dont come with true front differential lockers, so driving on pavement or on decent traction surfaces should not cause any damage......I do agree that you certianly dont want to be making sharp corners on these surfaces though and frankly you really should have no reason to be in 4wd on pavement.......unless you are pulling someone out of a ditch............

akfireman · September 28, 2007

you ask for opinions and then discount them when you get them, if you dont want to know then dont ask....

if you read the instructions for the 4 wheel drive either on the visor or in the owners manual it should say not to drive in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement as it may cause binding and damage in the drive train.

that sounds exactly like what your describing, which means its performing as expected.

Guys, I am not talking about sharp high speed turns on pavement for a long duration, this was five minutes just testing out the 4wd system, this slightest turn of the wheel causes binding and slowing of the vehicle, in no way did I do damage to my truc, im not an idiot. But i have had 4wd GM trucks in the past and none of them acted like this. there is some serious resitance and groaning while turning in 4wd. and in 4lo, there is some slippage in the drivetrain even at the slowest speeds. i am going to take it in on monday because obviously i cannot explain it. we'll see what they say.
thanks for the replies

Don't know about the rest of the people on this forum, but you do not run a truck in 4WD on dry pavement. You will experience the problems your encountering and may have caused damaged to the system. These trucks will bind in 4WD when turning in dirt, especially at slow speed, and if you have the wheel all the way to right or left. You can even pop the front axle assembly out of the boot. When operating in 4WD you want to keep the front wheels pretty straight to slight turning only to keep from binding.

Also, by adding the 2" leveling kit you may have changed th geometry of the drive line causing additional friction within the driveline and possibly voided your warranty. A few years back GM issued a notice to all the dealerships to void any driveline related warranty issues on any truck that had been raised, oversize tires, etc., if installed by the consumer. They required the consumer to put the vehicle back to factory specifications prior to warranty work on the driveline components.

I think I have problems with my 4WD in my '07 Sierra. I have about 9000 miles on my truck and have never really used my 4WD system. When it was new I made sure it engaged and disengaged, seemed to work fine, all 4 tires hooked up and back to 2wd when told to do so.

Tonight I used my 4WD, and found to have whining, grinding, and axle binding, tires were fighting each other trying to spin. All when slowly turning on pavement, now this was not sharp turns either, I was scared to turn any sharper or go any faster while turning. In a straight line and in Auto 4wd the system worked fine. The truck seemed to fight itself, if I let off the gas in a not-so-sharp turn the truck would bind itself to a stop, there is definety resitance and binding of the axles. What the heck is going on??

Also, in LO 4WD, The truck seems to slip, I dont know if its the tranny or transfer case but there is major slippage, truck revs 4000-5000 rpms but truck hardly moves, this cannot be normal?? can it?? There is also some whining and somewhat weird noises coming from underneath.

Now, I did just install a 2" Rough Country leveling kit. Can this have anything to do with the binding in 4wd mode while turning??

I will be taking the truck in but wanted to hear opinions, ideas and any other similar experiences.

Thanks much, Paul

I dont think you caused any damage and it sounds like normal operation of your 4wd you are describing. Our 'factory' trucks dont come with true front differential lockers, so driving on pavement or on decent traction surfaces should not cause any damage......I do agree that you certianly dont want to be making sharp corners on these surfaces though and frankly you really should have no reason to be in 4wd on pavement.......unless you are pulling someone out of a ditch............