Steering really tight in 4WH?

[gregshap]

I have a 2007 automatic part time 4WD FJ with rear lockers.

When I put it in 4W High but don't lock the rear end, My steering gets real tight and the rear tires hop and chirp around a gravel or wet surface during a moderate turn. The dealer says its normal but i don't remember it doing that before. Could somebody try it in their equal version of FJ and let me know their results?

The only thing different than stock is an OME medium lift kit and ARB bumber (if that makes any difference).

Thanks,

 

[Corey]

With part time 4WD (without the center locking diff like the stick has) it should only be in 4WD when there is enough slippage such as ice, snow, loose dirt.

Mine is never on when off roading unless I encounter enough slippage.
I have always done that with all of my Toyota 4WDs.

I have the OME lift too, but only engaged the 4WD in the snow in the mountains and here a week back.

And earlier on some dirt hill climbs wheile offroad.

 

[rfjtoy]

Mine is same as yours. I do drive in 4wd High with lower tire presure when off road, comfort and easy of control are my choices. I do'nt know what to say about the hopping or churping, You can't lock up the rear in 4high.

 

[John Smith]

I have a 2007 automatic part time 4WD FJ with rear lockers.

When I put it in 4W High but don't lock the rear end, My steering gets real tight and the rear tires hop and chirp around a gravel or wet surface during a moderate turn. The dealer says its normal but i don't remember it doing that before. Could somebody try it in their equal version of FJ and let me know their results?

The only thing different than stock is an OME medium lift kit and ARB bumber (if that makes any difference).

Thanks,

What the chirping and tire hop are telling you is you have too much traction and you should not be in 4wd. Wet pavement provides plenty of grip. You are stressing your transfer case and driveline by doing this.

 

[firetruck41]

Are you sure you aren't in 4wd w/center diff locked?

 

[Corey]

There is no center diff lock with the automatic.
That is for the 6 speed manual tranny only.

 

[firetruck41]

There is no center diff lock with the automatic.
That is for the 6 speed manual tranny only.

Well that answers that! 4WH will act the same as a diff locked center diff (or vice versa). It is a function of tying the front/rear with a 50/50 split, and the front is not turning at the same rate as the rear when turning, it is normal, and as some mentioned, probably means you don't have much use for 4wd at that point if you are noticing it.

 

[Corey]

Yeah, he has a severe case of bondage, ahh, I mean bindage

 

[1911]

Could somebody try it in their equal version of FJ and let me know their results?

The only thing different than stock is an OME medium lift kit and ARB bumber (if that makes any difference).

Thanks,

I have the same truck w/ a Demello bumper and OME 883's and the steering gets tighter but the tires don't hop or chirp even on dry pavement in 4H.

 

[Old Prospector]

There is no center diff lock with the automatic.
That is for the 6 speed manual tranny only.

This is a correct statement, but a more detailed answer, is that the front and rear drive shafts on the automatic FJ 4x4 turn all the time as if the center was locked. The chain drive to the front drive shaft is always running (as designed by Toyota). The front drive shaft has an electrical activated connection in the front differential (pumpkin) that engages when the transfer case is shifted from 2H to 4H and remains connected when shifted from 4H to 4L. Toyota calls this engaging mechanism in the front differential an ADD (automatic disengaging differential). In 2H the front axles are not engaged with the front drive shaft, so the vehicle only has power to the rear wheels.

 

[1911]

...the front and rear drive shafts on the automatic FJ 4x4 turn all the time as if the center was locked.

When greasing the drive shaft u-joints and slip joints, the front drive shaft turns freely with the transfer case in 2H. I guess you could be turning the chain in the transfer case too, but it doesn't act as if it's locked with the rear.