1.) DParker - 10/29/2017

When I was leaving the WMA after this morning's "hunt" I decided to throw my Frontier into 4HI on the dirt road out to give it its monthly gear lube and "make sure it works" check. When I got to the highway and switched back to 2WD the 4WD stutus indicator on the dash started blinking, indicating a problem...and that it was still in 4HI. No amount of flipping the control knob back and forth or driving forward and backward would clear the condition. Fortunately I was able to get a data connection on my phone and do a web search on the problem. It seems that there's a design flaw that can cause the gears to bind up even on dirt if there's a difference in wheel rotation due to uneven tire inflation, wear, etc. Fortunately the fix was easy, requiring only a sharp turn of the wheel and a stab at the gas for half a second...which freed the gears up and allowed a return to 2WD.

Whew. I thought I was going to have to limp the 75 miles back along the shoulder at 30 mph, ruining both front tires at best...and likely doing some damage to the drive components.

2.) Swamp Fox - 10/29/2017

Huh! That's some flaw. :bang:

I knew you could do some major damage by using part-time 4WD on pavement, but didn't know some of it would be to the tires. What's the deal?

3.) Ohbuckhunter - 10/29/2017

Anyone can do anything with YouTube. :)

4.) DParker - 10/29/2017

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;52765]Huh! That's some flaw. :bang:

I knew you could do some major damage by using part-time 4WD on pavement, but didn't know some of it would be to the tires. What's the deal?[/QUOTE]

The problem is that w/part-time 4WD the front wheels can't rotate at different speeds, which any difference in tire diameter makes them want to do. So one or both of the tires is/are dragged across the pavement to some degree because each needs to rotate at a different speed to roll smoothly on the road surface.

At least, that's my non-automotive engineer's take on it.

5.) DParker - 10/29/2017

[QUOTE=Ohbuckhunter;52767]Anyone can do anything with YouTube. :)[/QUOTE]

True 'dat. I've learned to fix a LOT of things thanks to YouTubers with a lot of time on their hands.

6.) Swamp Fox - 10/29/2017

[QUOTE=DParker;52769]The problem is that w/part-time 4WD the front wheels can't rotate at different speeds, which any difference in tire diameter makes them want to do. So one or both of the tires is/are dragged across the pavement to some degree because each needs to rotate at a different speed to roll smoothly on the road surface.

At least, that's my non-automotive engineer's take on it.[/QUOTE]

I figured that theoretically there could be some uneven torque/friction but couldn't imagine how that happens with a wheel/tire. I figured all the damage would be to the metal pieces parts. But then again, physics and mechanics are not really my area, LOL