Hi, I'm new on this forum and I just got my 4x4 working that was broken when I bought my 89 xlt Bronco. I replaced the shifter motor on the transfer case, and I'm pretty sure the previous owner haven't used the 4x4 in a loong time. When I run i 4x4 mode, the car runs fine until I make a sharp turn and it feels like the inner wheel is shipping. It is like driving without a differential, and when I shift back to 2 wheel drive, the problem remains for a few turns until it goes back to normal again. Could it be the front diff that is bad becouse it haven't been used for a long time?
front differential problems
- Thread starter elvis
- Start date
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Roadkill
New member
Welcome to BroncoZone! >
Are you on dry pavement when this occurs? The symptoms you describe sound like the normal driveline binding that happens when you try to engage 4WD on a paved road.
When you
Are you on dry pavement when this occurs? The symptoms you describe sound like the normal driveline binding that happens when you try to engage 4WD on a paved road.
When you
89Bronco58
New member
yes he is correct in what he said, only thing i have to add is that there are u joints on each of the axles , so when you tuen, the axle can piviot and turn with the wheel, if you turn too sharp under any condition, esp if these joints are bad, you will get that dragging skipping popping sound/feeling, so check the u joints in the front and just dont turn so sharp when in 4wd. if you arent turning sharp and it still does it under slight turns, you may just need new u joints or you have a locked front rear <------pray thats it lol
bidibronco
New member
What was your reasoning for putting your truck in 4wd? I know people around here will put there vehicle in 4wd when it's just raining outside. That's not what it's there for, it's there for "low traction" situations. If you think that a little rain on the road is low traction then youn't be driving in my oppinion. That frusterates the **** out of me. Being the "Command Mechanin" I have that question come up all the time with people that have the 4wd on their SUV's when they use it on just wet pavement. When I explain how 4wd works and how there IS a difference between 4wd and AWD they look at me like I'm nuts and don't believe me. The main difference is that on an AWD like a subaru or other such vehicles is there is another differential in the "transfer case" or whatever you want to call it. I understand that you may want to put it in 4wd every now and then to get the gears to turn and lubricated and such but either go in a strait line or get on some gravel road or even in the neighbors front/back yard. In other words, leave it out of 4wd on paved roads unless theres snow on them. Sorry about the long post but I get at least a half a dozen people ask me about this EVERY SINGLE TIME it rains.
89Bronco58
New member
***** dude said "in the neighbors front and back yard" thats great, yeah i agree with you tho, some people act like 4wd is same as awd but dont know how much damage it can do under the wrong use, 4wd if for pulling yourself along when the back wheels cannot push, all 4wd in the rain is going to do is give you worse gas mileage and worse steering, just my 2 cents 
/ <-----love that smiley
/ <-----love that smileyI know the difference between awd and 4wd, and if you read my question, I just fixed it and was trying it.
bidibronco
New member
I didn't mean to sound like an a$$ nor did I intend to question your knowledge on anything, I just get this question on a regular basis and went off a little on the subject. My oppoligize (I hope I spelled that correct) for sounding like that...
