4WD Turning Radius
#1
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Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
4WD Turning Radius
I know 4WD reduces turning radius and it hops if you turn too far. Can someone give me a simple explanation what causes this, and the factors involved. It seems like I can't turn as hard since I put the new wheels and tires on, but it may be my imagination.
- Tim
- Tim
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
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the front wheels have power in 4 wheel and when they are turned sharp your are putting resistance on the front when the back is not resisted so its hard for the front to keep up with the back causing the hop...very rude explanation and dont know if thats for sure but that seems logically correct
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Year: 1992
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Jeep.com
When a vehicle turns, each wheel rotates on a different radius to the turning circle, thus traveling at different distances and speeds. If the vehicle's front and rear axles are locked together and are turning on dry surfaces, the difference in wheel speed sometimes results in driveline binding that is released with a “bang” or vehicle “shudder” when one of the tires loses traction.
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#8
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Doing so on dry pavement can fracture a axle shaft u-joint.
Thats why it says in the manual or on the drivers sun visor only to use on slippery conditions.
Thats why it says in the manual or on the drivers sun visor only to use on slippery conditions.
#9
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Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
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I was driving on gravel and approaching wet pavement with a storm coming. Just slowed down to make the turn, and started hopping. I stopped, straightened out, and put it in 2wd til I completed the turn. Thanks for looking out, but I'm not trying to damage anything.
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
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If your new tries are bigger or the wheels have less backspacing (wider stance), this will also reduce the turning radius. Never really noticed the loss of radius in 4wd, since I only use the 4wd on the difficult portions of trails anyway, and NEVER on the street. I do about 90% of my wheeling in 2wd, shifting in and out of 4HI and 4LO when extra traction or torque are required. This includes trails such as the Rubicon and Dusy Ershim.
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Wet pavement does not always count as slippery. Unless that wet is a couple inches deep, muddy or icy. Even in the rain your tires will have to much traction for using the 231 TC. If you have a 4FT setting go for it. But then you would have a 242TC.
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Edit: I only use 4wd on roads if I've lost traction there in 2wd before. Yes, I also slow down, but it's an added comfort. Unless it's gonna cause longterm damage? I avoid sharp turns in 4wd whenever I can by switching to 2wd or making a 3-point turn, but I have tried to make a sharp turn before, and I know it hops, so I wanted to understand why.
Last edited by NewKindOfClown; 07-19-2011 at 03:42 PM.
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Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
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If your new tries are bigger or the wheels have less backspacing (wider stance), this will also reduce the turning radius. Never really noticed the loss of radius in 4wd, since I only use the 4wd on the difficult portions of trails anyway, and NEVER on the street. I do about 90% of my wheeling in 2wd, shifting in and out of 4HI and 4LO when extra traction or torque are required. This includes trails such as the Rubicon and Dusy Ershim.