Making sharp turns when in 4x4 mode

[2001Pathfinder]

When I'm making a sharp or U turn in 4 wheel drive mode, my 2001 Pathfinder seems to stall and I would have to press the gas pedal really hard for it to go. This is my first 4x4 truck so I don't know if this normal or not?

When I'm in 2 wheel drive, making sharp turns are normal.

Thanks.

[larryt]

Based on my experience with 4x4's, it's normal to need to apply more gas when turning sharply, but not for the engine to die. Not sure what causes it, though.

[tjelly]

You should only make sharp turns in 4x4 when road conditions warrant it. The way the tire grab when making sharp turn cause binding. probably cause your stall

[nissandoms47]

lets put it this way, if your in rain and needing 4x4 to stay in control while making sharp turns, i think you need new tires... 4x4 shouldnt be used unless your loosing traction in the back.

[KoukiS14]

Binding, etc, what everyone says is accurate.Basically what's happening when the center diff is locked is that the front tires will turn at the same rate. The outside tire will WANT to turn at a faster rate than the inside tire, but it can't.

I went with a qx4 only so I could get all-mode at an affordable price (only available after 01 in Pathfinder). . this works in 2wd until rear wheels slip :o

[bullrid]

the pathfinder 01s included have the auto 4wheel drive

[KoukiS14]

the pathfinder 01s included have the auto 4wheel drive

exactly. . 01+ have all-mode. . the price was out of my budget for a VQ with all-mode, and too difficult to find within a reasonable distance with the parameters I required. I realize now I said AFTER 01. . . sorry.

[kingflosser]

yo bro I hope you're not putting 4 x 4 when cement is dry. Actually don't even put 4 x 4 when it rains.ONLY put 4 x 4 on when there is a significant amount of snow on the road.

[bullrid]

you can use 4x4 anytime, can be dry or wet or snow or sand or anything else. it only wears tires faster.

[KoukiS14]

you can use 4x4 anytime, can be dry or wet or snow or sand or anything else. it only wears tires faster.

I'm a relative 4x4 noob.With that said, can't it also cause binding that will strip the gears in the transfer case?

[Big-Bird]

I found this information from another location but it is still sound information.

When making turns in 4x4 mode, the four wheels each make a different radius track, which means that each wheel is turning at a different speed. The differential in each axle allows for this speed difference between wheels on the same axle. For the speed difference between the front and rear wheels, there must (MUST) be slippage. Either a center differential or fluid coupling, or other gizmo that can allow for this, or a tire must slip on the surface. Because many of our trucks are not all wheel drive with this center device, we must let the wheel slip on a slippery surface...snow, mud, sand, etc.

From the keys of BB

Good traction on wet pavement, even dry hard clay, does not allow for the slippage needed. Which means this can put stress on the the drive train and the usual item that suffers the damage ends up being the front differential or the the HUBS ( if your truck has hubs that is). The Spider gears are the most likely item to break or suffer damage when the transfer case is engaged and the vehicle is turning on dry/good traction surfaces. The driver will notice the vehicle is hard to steer in the turn, needs more power and the tires are chirping (because they are trying to move at different speeds one of the tires starts to skip.

If you don't have the AWD model, usually all you need to do is take the vehicle out of 4WD beforehand which will allow the front and rear wheels to rotate at different speeds while turning into the Mcdonalds or where ever you are going.

[bullrid]

I'm a relative 4x4 noob.With that said, can't it also cause binding that will strip the gears in the transfer case?

once the transfer case is engaged, the gears wont strip. only when the rear tires are turning at different speeds from the front tires while engaging 4WD will cause a possible grinding or sometimes it just knocks into gear. The binding factor will be relieved by the tires, they will easily slip before the gears will get anywhere close to stripping.