Second failed transfer case

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[orion]

I bet ya the problem here was a locker engaged!

Both rear tires spinning, how fast, I don't know but probably pretty fast, slowly moving forward and then one gets good traction and bam, rear end stops all of a sudden and the momentum had to go somewhere thus a ring gear and transfer case or like OP, just the transfer case.

Don't use lockers if your spinning tires. That's how stuff breaks, no traction to sudden traction and bam! That's my thoughts on the whole situation.

I think people need to learn about when to use lockers and when not to.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I bet ya the problem here was a locker engaged!

Both rear tires spinning, how fast, I don't know but probably pretty fast, slowly moving forward and then one gets good traction and bam, rear end stops all of a sudden and the momentum had to go somewhere thus a ring gear and transfer case or like OP, just the transfer case.

Don't use lockers if your spinning tires. That's how stuff breaks, no traction to sudden traction and bam! That's my thoughts on the whole situation.

I think people need to learn about when to use lockers and when not to.

Not sure if it’s so Much don’t use your lockers, more like don’t overuse the skinny pedal, which is something that most guys do when not getting traction.

I’m in the 4L camp for low traction situations. 4H with all of the torque these Broncos have can be just asking for something to break.

The advanced 4x4 is also a more robust T-case, although yes, more complex, but I wouldn’t trade it.

I only use 4H when running an easy trail like a forest service road when dry or barely damp. Any other situation and I’m going to 4L. I paid for it, why not use it?

I try to avoid “gunning” it hardly ever, even when struggling to climb over an obstacle. If I can’t crawl up, for me it means bypass time. Only exception is when climbing a steep incline on dirt or clay thats damp. If muddy, totally using 4L.

Everyone has a different approach and philosophy, but giving gas more often causes issues.

 

[dgorsett]

Bassakwards. 4L will deliver more torque. 4H will spin a tire faster. 4H is really the better choice in low traction, less likely to spin. Think: is it easier to spin a tire in first (low) or 5th ( high) gear. Either may cause things to break with too much skinny. But really these things should stand up to pretty aggressive driving.

 

[Brian_B]

Hmm.. 4L vs 4H in slippery stuff. My opinion:

Well, it's true that 4L has a crazy lot more torque. But - when it breaks loose, it won't spin nearly as fast as it would (for the same amount of throttle) in 4H

And it's the rotational energy of stuff that tends to cause stuff to break. So the faster it's spinning, if/when it catches, that rotational inertia is what helps cause strippage.

So, yeah, 4H is less likely to break loose, but when it does, it's going to spin faster.

Not saying one is better than the other - it's situational - no one right answer all the time I think.

 

[Brian_B]

I think people need to learn about when to use lockers and when not to.

It's a shame a lot of GOAT modes lock it in automatically, when you really only should be using it very situationally and very sparingly.

I admit I have no idea how to use a front locker - never had one.

 

[Dorf2point0]

These are the only two pictures I could find. But if your tires were spinning and all of a sudden grabbed onto some traction, that's what caused it.

Ouch ouch ouch

 

[Valhalla]

I am sorry to the OP, can you walk us through both experiences of the snow run. You said you were stuck but start before that. Approximate speed, snow depth, how much slippage you were getting overall, and most importantly, what was the surface under the snow.

 

[Kickit]

I bet ya the problem here was a locker engaged!

Both rear tires spinning, how fast, I don't know but probably pretty fast, slowly moving forward and then one gets good traction and bam, rear end stops all of a sudden and the momentum had to go somewhere thus a ring gear and transfer case or like OP, just the transfer case.

Don't use lockers if your spinning tires. That's how stuff breaks, no traction to sudden traction and bam! That's my thoughts on the whole situation.

I think people need to learn about when to use lockers and when not to.

hrm, ok I thought the lockers were supposed to be used when you had wheels spinning. This is not what they are for? But yes, if the transfer case failed when I think it did then it was probably at the point when I was stuck and put the rear locker on in an attempt to get un stuck

 

[Kickit]

I am sorry to the OP, can you walk us through both experiences of the snow run. You said you were stuck but start before that. Approximate speed, snow depth, how much slippage you were getting overall, and most importantly, what was the surface under the snow.

both roads covered in a fairly powdery snow, traveling on it at under 30mph. Both times I think I got stuck because I was centered up on a snow bank. Attempted digging out first, was already aired down. First time I eventually got out with digging and 4L with rear lockers. Second time I was recovered with a kinetic recovery rope, in 4h with rear lockers on. If it’s the lockers then I’m completely baffled as I was always under the impression that this would be the situation that they would definitely be put to use…….

Again, am open to criticism. But I don’t feel like I did anything completely out of the realm of what a lot of people would do with the rig, I was definitely even lighter on the gas the second time around because I was already a little nervous having had the transfer case and front diff biff itself on me the last time I was in the snow………

 

[orion]

hrm, ok I thought the lockers were supposed to be used when you had wheels spinning. This is not what they are for? But yes, if the transfer case failed when I think it did then it was probably at the point when I was stuck and put the rear locker on in an attempt to get un stuck

When I'm stuck in snow, I'm not feathering the peddle, I'm romping on it, trying to get it to rock or bite, something. I'm not just letting it idle and spinning the tires at like 2 miles an hour. That isn't going to get you out in snow. So again, I'm "assuming" you were hard on the skinny pedal and then one of your tires while locked got great traction and bam.

The only time I use my lockers is if I can't make an obstacle or, from experience, I know I won't make an obstacle without them. When you are flexed out and a tire is "spinning" because it has lack of traction or in the air is when I use my lockers. Other than that, no. I don't do a lot of sand, beach or sand dunes, but there, the rear may have a use case at higher speeds and or getting unstuck with lots of throttle. But again, last resort for me...

 

[RBF 1401]

I think people need to learn about when to use lockers and when not to.

I definitely agree with this statement. A lot of us (even ones with plenty of experience in dirt) could use some advice on how to use all the features.

This vehicle is definitely more complicated than the pickups I have been using to go camping for a million years. I haven't even touched the 4A since I still have no clear idea what it is for or what it really does. I wouldn't have even bought the 4A, except that it was mandatory with the Sasquatch.

But reading through this thread, there are contradictory comments.

Plus, tons of internet sites mention using a rear locker in snow. Since there are so many different sources recommending it, was it not reasonable to think that engaging the rear locker in snow was the right choice?

Two difference places just mention that as long as you are driving under 5mph when you engage it, there isn't an issue with how fast you can go after it is locked, except that your steering may be a little wonky. Is this not accurate?

What does the Bronco Owner's Manual say?

 

[orion]

I definitely agree with this statement. A lot of us (even ones with plenty of experience in dirt) could use some advice on how to use all the features.

This vehicle is definitely more complicated than the pickups I have been using to go camping for a million years. I haven't even touched the 4A since I still have no clear idea what it is for or what it really does. I wouldn't have even bought the 4A, except that it was mandatory with the Sasquatch.

But reading through this thread, there are contradictory comments.

Plus, tons of internet sites mention using a rear locker in snow. Since there are so many different sources recommending it, was it not reasonable to think that engaging the rear locker in snow was the right choice?

Two difference places just mention that as long as you are driving under 5mph when you engage it, there isn't an issue with how fast you can go after it is locked, except that your steering may be a little wonky. Is this not accurate?

What does the Bronco Owner's Manual say?

What kind of snow are we talking about?

This kind?

Or this kind?

One I would have no issues using lockers, the other I wouldn't...

4A would be perfect for the 1st picture posted.

4A is 4 wheel drive without the transfercase locked. The front and rear driveshafts can move at different speeds.

4H/4L the transfercase is locked. The front and rear driveshafts spin at same speed.

 

[RBF 1401]

What kind of snow are we talking about?

This kind?

Or this kind?

One I would have no issues using lockers, the other I wouldn't...

4A would be perfect for the 1st picture posted.

4A is 4 wheel drive without the transfercase locked. The front and rear driveshafts can move at different speeds.

4H/4L the transfercase is locked. The front and rear driveshafts spin at same speed.

So would you have engaged the rear locker in the second picture?

@Kickit OP, which picture were you in?

 

[Kickit]

What kind of snow are we talking about?

This kind?

Or this kind?

One I would have no issues using lockers, the other I wouldn't...

4A would be perfect for the 1st picture posted.

4A is 4 wheel drive without the transfercase locked. The front and rear driveshafts can move at different speeds.

4H/4L the transfercase is locked. The front and rear driveshafts spin at same speed.

I was not on a city street. It was definitely picture 2, driving down the road in 4h but I guess I should have been in 4A. In fact, Here is the exact picture of where I was stuck……..

and thank you for that very succinct explanation of what the transfer case does in 4A and 4h. I’ve peeled through the manual and hadn’t found anything that really explains it in a way that I was able to fully understand it until you said that

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