4 wheel & locking diferential question

[llervero]

The other day I was on some trails here in NM we had like 5" of snow the day before. Anyway while on the trail I got stuck in a hill (not even 15 degrees ascent) The snow was already compacted , so it was not to deep at all. Actually it was very compacted. I had the two wheels on the passenger side spinning and the other side not moving at alll. I locked my differential and still the same situation. My light for the differential was on. I finally with some back and foward motion got out of it , but did not continue the trail. What is the purpose of 4 wheel drive if on dificult situations you still technically on 2 wheel drive. This is my 5th 4wd vehicleand the first time it happen like this. Is this normal operation for the LR?

1997 Discovery SE

 

[Moose]

Yes.

You have "open" axle differentials. This means that, whether the center diff is locked or not, the halfshaft with the least traction gets the most torque. If there is no traction (because of the snow) on the left front, the left front spins until you back off the gas or gain traction. The problem is when both front and rear axles have at least one side with no (or minimal) traction.

And that, my friend, is why people put Detroit or ARB lockers (or in the cases of crazy people, a spool) in their trucks. Then, in your case, the non-spinning axle side would get torque at the same rate as the spinning side.

Remember, you're driving a ~5000 pound vehicle -- momentum through judicious use of the skinny pedal is your friend

Andy

 

[llervero]

Thanks that what i figured. I guess I will have to stick with it until I could buy a differential locker.

 

[Moose]

Just drive faster up those slopes -- your truck can take it

 

[tcosson]

I those situations sometimes easing one foot on the brake while still giving gas will stop the spinning wheel and make the others move.

 

[Moose]

Ahhhh, the "poor man's locker."

I've heard tale of CV's and inners grenading from that in the wrong situation or with too much gas, so proceed with caution.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[tcosson]

..............easing one foot on the brake............

Poor man's indeed

 

[Moose]

LOL -- it's a little disconcerting to do that, and have the truck trying to move forward with little lunging moves, and at the same time hear the ABS pumping away...