I also test my transfer case on pavement, but only while travelling
in a straight line. As someone has pointed out, there is no differential
in the transfer case. When the front wheels are steered into a curve,
the wheels turn at a different speed from the rear wheels. This produces
the chatter you heard. Forward or reverse makes no appreciable difference.
When I drive on snow, I generally use the 4wd only to get started
or to go up hills. I find it easier to drive in snow with the rear
wheels connected to the engine because of the effect of engine breaking
when I take my foot off the gas. This adds some resistance to the
rear wheels only, and the truck stays stable. There is more of a
tendancy to spin if the front wheels also have the braking effect.
This is similar to the reason that big rigs are allowed to disconnect
their front brakes in many states (yes...it's actually safer!).
There's also the problem that running with the transfer case
engaged takes quite a bit more fuel.
That's my $.02. YMMV
Jim
--- Brian Mingle <bsm11@cornell.edu> wrote:
> ...I merely put it in four wheel high to test the transfer
> case. Will doing this cause a serious problem? My next question....If
> driving in four wheel drive on pavement is not good for the truck, why do
> people use them in the winter time? By that I mean, not every road will be
> covered in snow. Do I constantly take the truck in and out of four wheel
> drive while driving in snowy conditions?
>
> Also, Will the truck be hard to move in reverse with the wheels turned?
>
> Brian
=====
James A. Babcock, Software Engineer (jbabcoc@yahoo.com)
Realtime Embedded Systems Specialist pager: (703) 706-8722
'80 Triumph TR7 '87 Dodge Dakota 4x4
'99 Nissan Sentra SE '92 Honda Accord LX
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