Binding while turning with AWD

[nolimits]

When I make a tight turn going slow the tires will bind and stop the car if I'm not into the gas, otherwise the skip accross they ground slightly. Seems very much like a 4wd truck thats locked in. Since it's AWD I could understand why it does this, but I want to make sure it's normal and not a problem to be corrected.

 

[4pistons]

You've either got a welded center diff, a good thing, or a siezed stock diff, not a good thing.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[nolimits]

If it's siezed I suppose it's a matter of time before it self destructs? Would that fall into the infamous recall category??

 

[ASZRAEL1266]

it sounds more like a welded center diff to me. My car does the same thing. I make a sharp turn and the car stops i have to give it more gas to go and the inside rear tire will skip. I have broken rear axels just making U turns with a welded center diff, but i had a 3 bolt rear end at the time.

 

[4pistons]

If it's siezed I suppose it's a matter of time before it self destructs?

Maybe. If it just stays siezed without breaking any parts like spider gears it'll last. If it does break spider gears and the pieces go all over inside the tranny.... Remember, no mechanical problem ever fixes itself and the gods of automotive repair rarely allow you the easy way out!

Would that fall into the infamous recall category

No, it is not covered under a recall. The transfer case is, not the center diff.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[NDgsx]

You broke your center diff. Stop driving the car and get the tranny rebuilt.

 

[Staged]

I have the exact same problems plus a couple of other issues. I have taken it to a couple of shops, but in my area, I think I know more about this than they do!
Mine is skipping like it's binding during slow acceleration while turning. But it alternates which wheel skips and binds depending on which direction I turn. There is also a slight clicking nose heard from the rear while backing up.
My housing fill plug is seized and I am waiting on an order for the plug before I pull the cover and check the clicking out.
One guy says that the coupler is welded because of the alternate skipping. I am beginning to think it is a problem.
I can still pull on a Cobra and walk away no problem, and I am not having any breaking problems yet.
I am clueless on this issue, but my issues are the same, and this is my first experience with the AWD anything! Mine goes to be checked completely out in a week. Is this the same problems all around as with yours? I will know what THESE symptoms are soon.
Thanks!

 

[4pistons]

I have taken it to a couple of shops, but in my area, I think I know more about this than they do!

YOU DO!!! :laugh: Unless it is a real good shop or one that specializes in DSMs they don't know CRAP about them!! Period! Including the dealers. Either learn all you can about them or find a DSM shop and take it nowhere else. I am not kidding. You will get screwed taking it to jack asses who think they know what they're doing.

But it alternates which wheel skips and binds depending on which direction I turn

It is always the inside wheel on the turn. That's the nature of your suspension. In any turn the body rolls to the outside. That body roll and the suspension geometry work to unload the inside tire.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[Staged]

Originally posted by 4pistons
It is always the inside wheel on the turn. That's the nature of your suspension. In any turn the body rolls to the outside. That body roll and the suspension geometry work to unload the inside tire.

So is this normal? Or could this be a problem?

 

[4pistons]

The tire skipping is normal for a welded center diff. Anything else and it indicates a problem. Read back to the top of this thread.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[bsbllfit7]

same issue is happening to me, just to be clear this generally means that the center diff has seized and tranny needs a rebuild. Is this correct? Also is there a way to just replace the center diff and not need to do the tranny or is it better to just have it done while your in there.

 

[4pistons]

It doesn't mean your trans needs a complete rebuild, but the center diff does. If the diff didn't frag any parts inside the trans you could just rebuild, replace, or weld the center diff and reinstall it.

You might WANT to take the opportunity to check the synchros and bearings and such while you're in there, tho.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[97gst_spyder]

Sorry to bring up an old thread. But after my AWD swap on my Spyder, I had this issue. So after checking the t-case/rear end to make sure there all matches. I pulled out the center diff, looked new. Looked perfect. I replaced it with a used non-welded diff, same damn issues after a few miles of driving.

Also, if its a welded diff will the set of spines inside the diff spin the same direction or opposite of each-other?

 

[donniekak]

Sorry to bring up an old thread. But after my AWD swap on my Spyder, I had this issue. So after checking the t-case/rear end to make sure there all matches. I pulled out the center diff, looked new. Looked perfect. I replaced it with a used non-welded diff, same damn issues after a few miles of driving.

Also, if its a welded diff will the set of spines inside the diff spin the same direction or opposite of each-other?

If it's welded an input from either end, front or rear output shaft, spins the entire diff case.

 

[97gst_spyder]

All I know is in both diffs, when I spun the larger splines on the inside, the smaller ones went the opposite directions.

 

[4pistons]

If the internal gears spin at all it's NOT a welded diff. The purpose of welding the diff is to keep those gears from turning (differentiating).

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[GRNDSM]

How is your viscous coupling? Remember that a locked/siezed VC = VCE

 

[ed1380]

Also beware that 95-96 and 97-99 transmission and transfer cases need to be matched. Also auto and manual have different rear diffs

 

[GRNDSM]

The difference between 90-96 and 97-99 transfer case ratios is so small, that it wouldn't bind-up (unless you have a locked center diff).