Ranger 2007 4X4 help

[galaxy0906]

Hi All, first post to this site as very little info available antwhere else on the web !!

I have had my 2007 Ranger Thunder D/Cab for 1 year now from new, its back at the dealer having its 1st years service and minor repairs.

I have issues with its 4x4, I engaged 4x4 one day when the heavens opened and road surface was awash with water , driving along fine in a relatively straight line until I needed to make a turn on a small round-about and the truck put up a resistance (like hand brake applied whilst driving !). I have discovered this on several occasions and I am confused !

The owners manual is poor and not clear on its proper use, yes I understand that I have the option of going off road but this is not likely to be a habit of mine !

Any one else experienced this, Ford dealer has stated a couple of their guys got caught out whilst trying to park a truck !! This seems to be a bad system ? :(

Any Help appreciatted !

Thanks

[Nick]

Hi All, first post to this site as very little info available antwhere else on the web !!

I have had my 2007 Ranger Thunder D/Cab for 1 year now from new, its back at the dealer having its 1st years service and minor repairs.

I have issues with its 4x4, I engaged 4x4 one day when the heavens opened and road surface was awash with water , driving along fine in a relatively straight line until I needed to make a turn on a small round-about and the truck put up a resistance (like hand brake applied whilst driving !). I have discovered this on several occasions and I am confused !

The owners manual is poor and not clear on its proper use, yes I understand that I have the option of going off road but this is not likely to be a habit of mine !

Any one else experienced this, Ford dealer has stated a couple of their guys got caught out whilst trying to park a truck !! This seems to be a bad system ? :(

Any Help appreciatted !

Thanks

[Ulcer]

I used to get this too, It's normal the vehicles are not meant to be in 4 wheel drive on the road, I only use mine in slippery conditions, If I'm going slowly around tight corners I drop back into 2 wheel drive.

The problem I had was reversing off my driveway after fogetting to take it out of 4x4. You get used to it.

[Brad]

I've experienced this myself in a 55 plate Thunder.

It was great in the snow, but if I was trying to park it on relatively grippy tarmac it felt like you describe.

I just put it down to having all 4 wheels pushing with the front ones facing a different direction. Maybe someone a bit technical can tell me if it's something to do with the slip diff?

Cheers

[RangerUK]

What you are all experiencing is "transmission windup" .

The Ranger been 4wd has a diff at the front and back to enable each wheel on the same axle to rotate at differing speeds but it is not equipped with a centre diff to allow for differing speeds between front and back wheels. When its in 4wd and goes round a corner all four wheels need to rotate at different speeds and when its on tarmac they cant.

Strain is placed on the driveshafts/transmission and worsecase either your shaft/gearbox goes bang or a wheel spins to overcome the stress.

You should not engage and use 4wd on a tarmac surface.

Hope that helps