2001 4x4 question

[tommygfunk]

I just got my Silverado 1500 HD and I needed the 4X4 in the freak whiteout this past week. I put her in auto trac, but it did not feel right. It felt loose. I put her into 4X4 high and it felt better, but the snow got worse and I headed foe a parking lot to wait it out.

This is the first modern 4X4 I have had [I have a 79 jeep q-track BW case fulltime] and I’m not sure if this should do this. I turned into the lot and the front tires fought back and forth on who wanted the lead. [old time duck waddle] I have noticed that now in 2wd in the hospital parking lot she does this now. It is not as bad, but it causes her to slide a bit.

In 4wd low and high the axels pop and bind on tight turns, but it is all good going straight. I have a bad feeling what is wrong, but it is still under a warrantee.

tgf

[Sonny01]

If everything works fine in 2WD and when you select 4WD and make a turn you feel the tires binding up on the road that is normal. At least the last two 4WD trucks I've had did that. It has to do with the front outside tire being asked to move a longer distance then the other one in a turn. Normally they freewheel but in 4WD they are locked in the drive mode.

[777stickman]

My '98 Sub has "auto" 4wd. I think this is pre "autotrac" but may work the same.

In "auto" 4wd there are 2 sensors that detect a difference in speed from the front to the rear. When that happens the tx case will clutch into 4wd (not slam). So, in "auto" if all 4 wheels are turning the same speed you're still in 2wd (kind of). When you put it in 4hi or 4lo things will react as "Sonny01" has described as it is now locked into 4wd.

Kind of lame but I hope it helps you to understand it better....Steve

[ColoradoSilverado]

What could it be if it makes the noises in Auto 4WD ?

Bert