2007 Dakota 4 wheel issue

[71green go]

hey guys wonder if any of you know what could be up with my 2007 dakota......I recently bought a 2007 4x4 3.7 Dakota...Limited slip rear

everything worked great last time I tried but tonight I thought I would put the truck in 4x4 mode going to store just to make sure all is good....well

It went into 4x4 ok, but backing up the rear end felt like it was locking up...like when it switched to 4 wheel something locked...I went forward did slight turn and same thing rear end was locking no matter which way I tried to turn........seemed somewhat ok going straight but couldnt hardly move on a turn and then got tight going straight......put it back into 2 wheel drive and everything felt ok....any ideas

thanks!!

steve

[lukedukem]

is it electronic shift 4x4 or does it have the stick on the floor. my guess is electronic. sounds like the electric motor that ingages it isn't fully ingaging all the way, leaving some geasr binding up. if you have a shifter on the floor it might be the transfer case.

[Cooter]

 4WD will "Bind" when on asphalt or other hard surface and in a turn. Rears are trying to run over each other.
Sounds normal. ESPECIALLY, with a limited slip diff.

Never fails to amaze me how many seem to HAVE TO HAVE 4WD, yet live where they may need it only twice in 15 years (Myself included, but I have a good ol' stick in the floor and none of that automatic/push button sh*t), yet almost NEVER drop into 4WD just to make sure all those STUPID electric Window motors are working properly.

[71green go]

4WD will "Bind" when on asphalt or other hard surface and in a turn. Rears are trying to run over each other.
Sounds normal. ESPECIALLY, with a limited slip diff.

Never fails to amaze me how many seem to HAVE TO HAVE 4WD, yet live where they may need it only twice in 15 years (Myself included, but I have a good ol' stick in the floor and none of that automatic/push button sh*t), yet almost NEVER drop into 4WD just to make sure all those STUPID electric Window motors are working properly.

The funny thing almost every truck sold nowadays in Ontario is 4x4...
So I hardly would ever need 4x4 I was just checking it to make sure it engaged properly...
So are you saying if the roads were icy and then clear spots I could drive in 4 wheel?.....or would it cause issues when I hit clear non slippery patches
it is the electronic shift...when I switch to 4 wheel I can hear it click in the rear of the truck likes it engaging and light on dash indicates it locked in ok.. ...when I first bought I only tested it going straight down the road...and had no issues....
Maybe I should read the manual and see what it says  

[Cooter]

The funny thing almost every truck sold nowadays in Ontario is 4x4...
So I hardly would ever need 4x4 I was just checking it to make sure it engaged properly...
So are you saying if the roads were icy and then clear spots I could drive in 4 wheel?.....or would it cause issues when I hit clear non slippery patches
it is the electronic shift...when I switch to 4 wheel I can hear it click in the rear of the truck likes it engaging and light on dash indicates it locked in ok.. ...when I first bought I only tested it going straight down the road...and had no issues....
Maybe I should read the manual and see what it says  

Well, in an area of country where it snows a$$hole deep to a giraffe, I guess you would need it.
That "Click" you hear is most likely the electric motor engaging. However, try not to bind it in turns on hard surfaces. When on grass, ice, snow, etc., you should be ok to drive in 4WD high/low. Just make sure it isn't for long periods of time. Had one woman come in the shop with hers in 4WD so long, she forgot to take it out and burnt up the transfer case.

[71green go]

  Thanks Man...I assumed you could drive in 4 wheel and just spend more money on gas... .......didnt know it would harm the truck..

[hatersaurusrex]

Could be worse, back in the 80's and 90's Chevy, instead of a motor or solenoid, had a friggin heating element in the front that engaged the 4WD.   It would heat up and cause the gases in a tube to expand and push a sleeve out to lock in the 4WD.   If it got over 90 deg outside, you'd have to cut your truck off and wait a couple of hours to get it to disengage.

[lukedukem]

Thanks Man...I assumed you could drive in 4 wheel and just spend more money on gas... .......didnt know it would harm the truck..

the owners manual should say that it's ok to drive up to 50 mph in 4high. but never that fast in 4low, that will damage it.
luke