Four wheel drive on dry pavement

[Waffle]

Finished up work at a decent time yesterday and decided to take the boat out. Always use 4 wheel drive to yank it from the water and forgot that it was in 4HI. Drove on a curvey road for about 6 miles, then hit the interstate. A mile or so on the interstate we start to hear what sounds like crickets. Turned down the radio and noticed it made a noise when either braking or on the throttle, not coasting. Finally saw the indicator on the dash and slowed down enough to shift it into rear wheel drive. Still cricket noises. Got off on an exit and let it sit in neutral running for a few minutes while I checked the tranny fluid. Didn't make the noise the rest of the way home.

What should I check?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

It would sure help to know what vehicle we are talking about and what type of 4WD system it has (manual, automatic, or full time). If you have an automatic or full time system, the transfer case has a differential so there would be no problem running on dry pavement -- except if the LOCK feature was engaged. If you have a manual system, there is no differential so you have driveline bind when turning. That means the wheels slide around a corner. There is not much you can look at to tell if any damage was done. Broken drive shafts and universal joints are the typical break points when something does break.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

Would be nice to know what vehicle is being referred to.
Do you really need 4WD to pull out of the water ????

 

[180shabah]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

What should I check?

Start with the badges and emblems, they will help identify the vehicle in question

 

[scrobo]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

Would be nice to know what vehicle is being referred to.
Do you really need 4WD to pull out of the water ????

I use 4wd to pull out just for insurance sakes. Came in handy this weekend as I launched in the side of the lake to avoid a 9 person lineup for the launch. Down the grass and in.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

Having the front tires locked on the ramp might offer some more friction to avoid sliding in when you're in Park, but you really only need 2wd and some weight over the driven axle to put a boat in and out of the water in my experience [with lighter boats].

 

[Waffle]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

You guys are a hoot.

It's a 2005 f150 4.6 auto.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

Don't make a habit of it, but there really isn't anything to worry about. If the Ford can't handle it, there are other makes that can. Good luck.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

It's not the driving that hurts the 4x4 system, it's the turning and different wheel speeds when everything is locked together that causes problems.

Check out your fluids to be safe

 

[_brad_]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

I know with my manual lock outs, its a big no no because of all the binding which takes place between the front and rear wheels.

Just about any 4x4 system is going to have some binding between the rear and front wheels since the front and rear drive system is never 100% in sync with one another.

Not sure what else to check besides fluid levels...

 

[180shabah]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

The only thing I can think of that would be "cricket chirping" would be your overworked P/S pump. After it sat for a couple of minutes and cooled a bit, it quieted down.

Agreed with all of the above - check the fluid. It is probably fine, but if not change it. no big deal.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

Brad -- any of the AWD or automatic 4WD systems have either a viscous coupling or a differential in the transfer case so those systems can be run on dry pavement without driveline binding. However, most automatic 4WD systems can be switched from AUTO to LOCK which locks that differential. Now you have the same situation as with a manual 4WD system.

 

[KM2]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

It's a Ford, so he was locked up. They don't offer a full-time or auto system in the F150, yet. I did it once and didn't notice until I was taking a sharp turn into the driveway. Didn't hurt anything that time and I feel real lucky about that. Don't have a clue what the noise is, but I would be looking at everthing in the driveline after the transmission.

 

[rndn]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

My 07 Tacoma V-6 4 WD states in the manual to engage the four WD once per month for about 10 miles to lubricate the drivetrain. The only thing it states not to do is to engage 4WD Low or the rear differential lock while on dry pavement. I would think your's would be opkay. If you had engaged the locking portion of the differential you would not have been able to steer very well at all and surely would have noticed it ASAP.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

is it the new body style if so and you are worried about the front end then I would recommend pulling the hubs and checking them they are made of plastic so it is possible they may have cracked . in order to pull them just loosen the upper ball joint and the axle . slide the axle through and their are 3 8mm bolts holding it on it just slides out and you can see the teeth then it is pretty easy to do .

 

[Rusty Boater]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

What you heard was the front bearing in the transfer case. It is not made to travel at that rate of speed and does not get the opportunity to spin that much and that is the chirping. Drive on my friend and do not worry about it. Drove my buddies F250 like that for an hour thru the mountians around tellico and no problem.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

I use 4wd to pull out just for insurance sakes. Came in handy this weekend as I launched in the side of the lake to avoid a 9 person lineup for the launch. Down the grass and in.

I can understand it for that but not for regular hauling at the ramp. 2WD works just fine for me.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

I can understand it for that but not for regular hauling at the ramp. 2WD works just fine for me.

Clearly, you have never retrieved from a mid-atlantic ramp during low tide with a manual transmission. 4WD ain't required, but it makes it smooth and easy.

We are now using mostly inland lakes and although I do not engage 4WD I do use low range. Clutch seems happy about that.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

Clearly, you have never retrieved from a mid-atlantic ramp during low tide with a manual transmission. 4WD ain't required, but it makes it smooth and easy.

We are now using mostly inland lakes and although I do not engage 4WD I do use low range. Clutch seems happy about that.

I did state for "regular" hauling at the ramp.
I have indeed hauled up many a green seaweedy ramp at low tide in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The 4 wheel drive did indeed make it smooth and easy however as you say yourself it is not a requirement.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Four wheel drive on dry pavement

I haven't made it to Great Brittain yet. We are planning a trip to Germany and France next year, maybe we can squeeze in a little extra time.