This morning, I was at an iced up intersection that sloped up.
As I started to move forward, my rear tires broke lose and they spun as I started to slide backwards.
I tried several times to proceed forward with no luck. Then decided it was time to engage the front axle.
The rear wheels were still spinning slightly when I moved the stick into 4-hi.
I immediately heard two loud clunks from the fron end (maybe transfer case?).
The truck shook with each "clunk".
Once the 4x4 light came on, I was able to go through the intersection without any further trouble.

My questions is:
1) These clunks I heard and felt, did that do any damage to the drive train? (Im sure the clunk was caused by the different speed of the front and rear wheels. Just wondering if the "clunks" did any damage. Again, speed of the rear wheels were probably under 5 mph).

2)Is there anything I should check out for visable damage?

3) Should I use 4x4 in conditions where there is both ice and just wet roads?
I know your not suppose to engage the transfer case in conditions where the front tires get a lot of tranction (Such as dry pavement). But today, there may be a quarter mile of just we road, then another quarter mile of ice, and so on.
Will driving the truck in 4x4 in these kinds of conditions damage the transfer case?


(By the way, the truck has the 47re tranny. If that makes any difference)


Any info is appreciated.

Rich.

 

I'm guessing the clunking you heard was the collar that locks the front diff intermediate axle shaft and the right outer axle shaft together trying to engage. If your rear wheels were spinning the front diff was going the same speed and the front wheels were going slower. You could take the actuator off and check the splines on the intermediate shaft for excessive damage. You'll lose a bit of diff oil when you take it off. If it still engages allright you probably didn't do too much damage. I just had mine apart to do the axle seal. The splines had rough ends from somebody grinding into 4 wheel lock-up. I cleaned them up with a file. As far as driving in those conditions; when you turn a corner, the front wheels and rear wheels turn at a different speed. The tighter the corner, the greater the difference. A good example of this is when you turn in fresh snow. The tracks made by the front tires don't match the back. In 4X4 something has to slip, hopefully the tires. Going straight shouldn't be a problem. If anybody has anything to add, please do.<br>

 

I would doubt you did any damage serious enough to worry about. If you are in the mood though, pull the diff cover and check the splines on the shaft and collar. As far as driving on asphalt in 4hi, as long as you don't turn the wheel to full lock one side or the other and slam the throttle to the floor you should be ok.

 

clunk clunk isnt too bad but clunk clunk bang bang bang is I love talking in tech terms

 

I'm thinking the hubs were locking in. Slipping on the ice and trying to lock in while over revving can cause damage, maybe not the first time. Did it in &quot;92 in Germany with my Ranger that had auto hubs. Came out in the morning to an icy parking lot and just spun the back wheels in my parking spot. The light on the electronic transfer case indicated I was locked in, but I wasn't. If you lock in while still, you should start real easy and listen for the hubs to engage. If you are moving, you should coast while it is engaging, don't try to accellerate too soon. <br><br>When you are in four wheel drive, you only get traction while you are giving throttle. When braking and coasting, you aren't much different than the other veicles, other than the front end will create drag and allow you to ease off the brakes some while slowing. When you turn, you should slow to below the speed you want to make the turn at. Then you should accellerate into the turn so the front wheels will bite in. When off road or parking, dont turn the wheels all the way, the front u-joints might bind and get damaged. This will make a popping noise as well. Normal freeway speeds aren't good for four wheel drive either, but if you need four wheel drive then you know the rest.

 

Thanks for the info guys.<br>The weather actually turned for the worse later in the day when I went to pick up my son from school. <br>Due to there being several inches of snow on the ground and his school being at the top of the hill, I placed it into and out of 4x4 a couple of times on the way. <br>Everything seemed to work as designed. Must not have caused to much damage.<br><br>Thanks again.<br>Rich.