Anyone elses silverado drive like crap in 4 wheel?

[jhh]

I have a 2004 standard cab long box 2500hd(14,000 miles). Without using 4 wheel their a slight jerking when turnining right in my steering wheel, other than that It drives just fine. But my truck is a bitch to handle in 4 wheel. If I slightly turn the wheel I can hear something rubbing, and when I turn sharply I have to floor the truck in order to get it to move and it feels like one wheel is getting power.

I am taking it in tomorrow, but I just wanted to get a little info on if this problem is common or what could be going on.

[tykrz]

Mines the same

[maxwedge]

I assume all this is not on dry pavement?

[Shortbus]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

I assume all this is not on dry pavement?

Hopefully huh...

[kycowgirl]

My 99 Silverado does the exact same thing.

[RyAmber]

All 4wd trucks are more difficult to turn when engaged..in 2wd the front tires are free to turn with no restriction, in 4wd the front tires are engaged as the rear tires are and therefore it is more difficult to turn. Nothing wrong with your truck.

[Legasus233]

I am assuming all of you are talking about when you have it in 4WD AUTO, correct?? Mine does it when I am in auto 4wd

[RyAmber]

As you are hopefully aware automatic 4wd means that the truck only engages into 4wd when it senses the road conditions call for it, other times it is running in 2wd just as if the automatic button was not pushed..Why are you using the automatic 4wd button anyway?? In my opinion you know when you need 4wd and when you don't...

[silveradoking]

I have had my truck for over 3 years, yet to use the auto button........sorry, but when there is a a ice or snow out there....it's safer when you know that you got your 4 wheel on ALL the time....you never know.....

[Legasus233]

Good Point!! Just wondering if there is actually something wrong mechanically, that's all. Don't know who is from where, but in Minnesota, it is nice to have Auto4WD for this reason. After a nice snowfall, some of the roads are caked with snow, in which case 4WD is necessary. But, if the plows have been out, in many cases, it may not be so necessary. Auto4WD is nice because you don't always have to remember to take it out of 4WD, in which case, you would think Auto would only work when necessary. For the simple fact that if you drive on clear pavement for too long in 4WD too long, you will fry you drivetrain.

[Legasus233]

To be honest, I have never put it in just 4WD. Usually always Auto. Next snowfall, I will put in in 4WD, not auto, and see what happens.

[OGG]

I had the same problem until I had the transfer case fluid changed, just make sure it's the blue goo. The auto 4wd should be almost undetectable. I also have to disagree about the use of the auto 4wd, it's one of the main reasons I bought a GM. If you're on iffy surfaces with patches of ice and snow the 4wd high is useless. It binds around corners and can cause the front end to plow. The auto 4wd engages any time it detects a difference between front and rear tire rotation. This includes any time the steering wheel is turned even slightly. All the old school purists will tell you you don't need it but I've owned many awd cars and there's no comparison for on road performance. I've noticed that in auto 4wd the truck corners much better in the rain too. Now if I go off road or it gets really bad with deep snow I might use 4wd high or low if necessary or to save the transfer case. You can cook the fluid and/or the friction surface with excessive use.

[jeverett]

I would suggest that none of you ever use your Auto button. My friend did this one time, and the transfercase clutches burned up. The GM mechanic told him that the auto button was the worst thing chevy ever put in a truck.

[OGG]

Something was seriously wrong with your friend's truck. My stepmother has over 80k miles on her truck and it is ALWAYS in auto 4wd. I've only used the auto 4wd, not 4 high or low, and I've forgotten it was on and driven 80 on the highway with no ill effect. I can't understand the superstition around full time 4WD/AWD. Other than off road it's just better. This is not new technology it is very simple. All it really is, is a limited slip differential for your transfer case. If GM can't get that right they're truly doomed in todays automotive market.

[draboo]

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,on the southern shore of Lake Superior. We get massive amounts of snow. One of the main reasons I purchased my 99 is because it has the buttons with the AUTO 4WD option. I drive 75 miles one way to work,and when its snowing and accumulating,I may use the 4WD option,but usually I use the AUTO button.

I ve never had any problem with steering in either mode,tho I m careful to be off the pavement/concrete in 4WD mode. I can hear when its engaged in either mode,but I m sure no trucks drivetrain is so quiet that you wont be able to hear it when its in 4WD. Besides,its a TRUCK,not a Caddilac with 115k on the odometer.