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Why does 4WD feel difficult to turn?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Raptor58, Sep 23, 2022.

  1. Sep 23, 2022 at 7:45 AM
    #1
    Raptor58

    Raptor58 [OP] New Member

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    Can I use the 4WD all the time and why does it feel difficult to turn- as if it binds up???
     
  2. Sep 23, 2022 at 7:52 AM
    #2
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    Better to follow advice from the manufacturer per the owners manual -

    upload_2022-9-23_8-52-17.jpg
     
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  3. Sep 23, 2022 at 7:54 AM
    #3
    Overland WT

    Overland WT Grumpy Old Guy

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    No, DO NOT drive around in 4wd. ONNLY drive as you need it in adverse conditions. Selectable 4wd drive vehicles are not the same as all wheel drive vehicles. The "binding" you feel is due to how the transfer case delivers power to the front which causes it to "drive" instead of being "driven" when in RWD.
     
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  4. Sep 23, 2022 at 7:57 AM
    #4
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

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  5. Sep 23, 2022 at 8:47 AM
    #5
    Texoma-Brad

    Texoma-Brad OK Yota

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    The only exception would be in a Limited with full-time AWD/4WD, but it has the technology that determines what wheels need power and when.

    So, unless you have a Limited, the answer is definitely no.
     
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  6. Sep 23, 2022 at 8:51 AM
    #6
    LuLu

    LuLu New Member

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    My TRD was delivered to me in H4 by the dealership within the lot. Dry Pavement.
    It was actually binding at full turn. Complained to my Sales Rep. He had no clue what was going on and asked me to bring back in for service.

    Luckily someone responded and advised what to do from this forum. ThumbsUp!
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
    Austin26 and 7385 like this.
  7. Sep 23, 2022 at 9:11 AM
    #7
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Please tell us you haven't been doing this for long...:eek:
     
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  8. Sep 23, 2022 at 9:14 AM
    #8
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    No. It's not full time 4wd unless you bought the Limited.
     
  9. Sep 23, 2022 at 9:29 AM
    #9
    Raptor58

    Raptor58 [OP] New Member

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    No- just for a few street blocks (3) just to lubricate the front axle. I would say for about 4-5 miles Sporadically.
     
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  10. Sep 23, 2022 at 9:43 AM
    #10
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    I toss mine in 4x4 a few times a month or so, only when I have a straight line. I would not make turns and what not just to lube it up, unless there is snow, dirt or even oil I guess.
     
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  11. Sep 23, 2022 at 10:47 AM
    #11
    BearBio

    BearBio New Member

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    I try to do a mile or so per month!
     
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  12. Sep 23, 2022 at 11:10 AM
    #12
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    Recommendation is 10miles per month, which is not easy for me for my wife's 4R.
    upload_2022-9-23_12-8-8.jpg
     
  13. Sep 23, 2022 at 11:14 AM
    #13
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    About the binding — sometimes called “wind-up”.

    Imagine driving through a puddle of paint while making a turn, and then stopping to look at the painted tire tracks behind you. You will notice that the wheels have prescribed 4 different arcs, each of a different length. That means each wheel has traveled a different distance, and rotated at a slightly different speed. The difference is most pronounced on wheels on the same axle. The wheels on the same axle are separated by a differential, the purpose of which is to allow the wheels to travel at different speeds. On vehicles with diff locks, when engaged the diff-lock stymies the differential action. Now, on dry pavement, as we go around a curve both wheels will prescribe a different curve, but they are forced to rotate at the same speed - wind-up, or torsional stress will occur across the axle, and that stress is relieved by the scrubbing of one or the other of the tires on the ground. If the driving surface doesn’t provide the tires with much friction, it is easy for them to move different distances at the same speed without building up stress because the tires can easily slip.

    If we look at the stresses in the front and rear drive shafts we see the same dynamics as we see in the axles, though less pronounced. As the wheels go around the corner and prescribe their arcs we notice that, especially in tighter turns, the front wheels travel further than the rear wheels. In a full-time-4WD vehicle, like the Limited, there is a center differential which allows the front and rear drive shafts to distribute power while turning at different speeds. But with part-time 4WD there is no center differential and there is a tendency to develop wind-up across the two drive shafts, and the torsional stresses want to be relieved by the scrubbing of either the front or rear wheels. On road surfaces with less traction there is no build-up of stresses as the tires can easily slip. But on dry asphalt it is difficult for the tires to scrub, the stresses build up, and the driver can feel it in the steering wheel.
     
  14. Sep 23, 2022 at 11:24 AM
    #14
    BearBio

    BearBio New Member

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    Actually, I'm usually about 6-8 miles. I'll drive it in 4H while running some errands. Don't know why I said "1 mile or so" (?) :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:
     
  15. Sep 23, 2022 at 11:33 AM
    #15
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    The way I heard it is this: oil is hydrophobic but there are additives in the oil that absorb moisture. If the purpose of exercising the 4WD was merely lubrication, about a mile or so would be enough. A longer distance is specified so that the oil can get good and hot and cook off the accumulated moisture.
     
  16. Sep 23, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #16
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    You're really exercising the actuators because the spider gears of the front axle are turning in 2wd. Just find a straight road and pop it into 4wd. I do this every so often on my commute.
     
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  17. Sep 23, 2022 at 1:59 PM
    #17
    Raptor58

    Raptor58 [OP] New Member

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    outstanding guidance from all.
    Thanks all
     
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  18. Sep 23, 2022 at 6:31 PM
    #18
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia New Member

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    This is it. My 16 yr old Tacoma gets put into 4WD about once per 2-4months going down my 300 ft driveway. Still goes into 4H and 4L every time with no issues. Just move those actuators once in a while and it's all good, no need to drive any distance in 4WD to keep the system lubricated.
     
  19. Sep 23, 2022 at 6:47 PM
    #19
    TrailSpecial22

    TrailSpecial22 New Member

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  20. Sep 29, 2022 at 6:01 PM
    #20
    DaveB

    DaveB New Member

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    I guess I'm lucky. Got my 97 limited from original owner and she never used the 4x ever. First thing was to change all fluids and slowly work everything. So far 4k miles and I'm good. It all works but there is some vibration in transfer case. I guess I'm in for springtime rebuild.
     
    Raptor58[OP] likes this.
  21. Sep 29, 2022 at 9:18 PM
    #21
    skistoy

    skistoy New Member

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    To keep it simple, I usually engage the 4hi ( short distance ) and 4low ( very short distance ) on the 1st of every month.
    Been doing this on my previous 3 Tacoma's and previous 4Runner. Never had a issue with any of them.
     
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  22. Sep 29, 2022 at 9:56 PM
    #22
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    That sounds like a good practice. My 97’ Tacoma had a manual transfer case so I never worried about it, but since my 18’ SR5 4R has the electronic controlled transfer case, I try to exercise it once a month too.
     
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  23. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:54 AM
    #23
    UncleShorty

    UncleShorty New Member

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    Honest to goodness Honey, if I don't go off-roadin' Saturday my 4WDs gonna break. The manufacturer says It's gotta be run to lube up the parts. I'll go with ya to see your mother next weekend...
     
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  24. Oct 1, 2022 at 8:14 AM
    #24
    suaveflooder

    suaveflooder New Member

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    I do it very similar. I run in 4 hi for about a mile every Friday on my way home
     
  25. Oct 3, 2022 at 2:16 AM
    #25
    Raptor58

    Raptor58 [OP] New Member

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    Wow, great. How many miles when purchased.
     
  26. Oct 4, 2022 at 4:43 AM
    #26
    DaveB

    DaveB New Member

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    238k. I have replaced entire front end and rack. And the ac system. Not sure how a illinois 4 runner could rust free.
     
  27. Oct 4, 2022 at 5:20 PM
    #27
    DUSTYDOGDAN

    DUSTYDOGDAN New Member

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    LOL ---> Here I am worried about only getting 14MPG ---> I wonder what MPG the OP is getting---> LOL
     
  28. Oct 6, 2022 at 3:38 PM
    #28
    Nautiknight

    Nautiknight New Member

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    In my 08 Tundra I accidentally left her in 4WD while driving around a sloped paved curve in my driveway. Before you could say oh crap , the torque on the right axle (inside steep part of the curve) was so much that I snapped the CV joint clean. I simply forgot to switch it off . Since that moment I have never forgotten to do that.
     
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  29. Oct 11, 2022 at 7:05 PM
    #29
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Ouch!!! That’s a pretty clear description of what can happen when I forget to turn off 4wd on a “quick” road section between trail sections. I bet it was the sloped curve that really did it in, like you described, but still, I can imagine a similar situation on the road.
     
  30. Oct 11, 2022 at 8:05 PM
    #30
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    I typically engage/disengage on parts of the trail that look sketchy. On longer straight sections, I may leave in 4wd, but even off road I avoid 4wd when making tight turns.
     

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