I have been noticing odd binding problems in 2WD. Sometimes when doing a Y-turn or U-turn I get a binding like its in 4WD, and its random as far as time of day and driving time. Has happened maybe 3 or 4 times in about a month. When I straighten out the wheels and drive it goes away. I changed out my leaking axle seals about a month ago when I bought it. I drove it in 4WD for a week or so when we had snow and it seemed to work just fine. I noticed during that time I was only getting about 10mpg. I was shocked at low mpg. After snow was not that bad I put it back in 2wd and noticed about 12mpg-14mpg depending on driving habit.
I was experimenting tonight with my turning in a parking lot and on the street with 4wd since I just installed my 2.5" lift. I wanted to make sure everything turned good in 2wd and 4wd. Going Straight is not all that bad, but once I turn a corner left or right even going straight again the truck slows down like there is binding. I can turn the wheel left to the 3 o-clock position and right to the 9 o-clock position before binding starts to happen. Even going straight after coming out of a turn, the binding is still present. Truck will slow like brakes are applied lightly. Coasting wont happen very long, and in Neutral it will slow and wont roll down a slight incline. I didnt want to stress anything out so I put in neutral and back into 2WD. In 4wd before a corner it will roll and coast just fine. I can drive straight and turn slightly no problems.
Vehicle has almost 200k on it and the fluid didnt look good when I changed it. Metallic and low. I cleaned it out and plan on doing another fluid exchange. I guess Im wondering how everyone elses truck acts on dry pavement. Other peoples vehicles seem to get pissed in 4wd, but once they go straight or ease up on the wheels its gets tons better. Which makes sense. Mine however just stays pissed off.
Any hits on dying front diff or center diff issues?