Four-Wheel-Drive
Why Four-Wheel-Drive?
Advantages
Improved traction and handling
Able to transmit torque to all four wheels
Disadvantages
Higher initial cost and weight
Requires special service and maintenance
4X4 = Four wheeled vehicle, four wheels
can receive torque.
4X2 = Four wheeled vehicle, two wheels
can receive torque.
Definitions
4WD Designs
RWD vehicles equipped with an added
transfer case, a front drive shaft, a front
differential, and front drive axles
4WD Designs
FWD vehicles with an added transfer case, a rear drive
shaft, and a rear axle
Transfer case - An
auxiliary transmission
mounted to the side
or rear of the main
transmission.
No differential action is
provided.
4WD Definitions
4WD Components
Transfer case
Transmits power from the transmission to the front and rear
drive shafts
4WD Components
Transfer case
Will typically be a gear or chain type
Types of Transfer Cases
Drive chain design
Has less weight to
improve fuel economy
Is usually used with
planetary gearsets
Is the most common
design
Types of Transfer Cases
Gear-type
Uses only gear-sets to transfer power
Stronger & more durable
Center
differential -
serves the
same purpose
as a transfer
case but allows
for differential
operation.
4WD Definitions
Limited-slip center
differential. Controls
differential operation
through a disc or
cone-type clutch.
Later designs are
computer operated.
4WD Definitions
4WD Components
Drive shafts
Connect to the front and rear differentials
4WD Components
Universal joints or CV-joints
Are used to connect front axles to the wheel hubs
Part-time 4WD - Typically systems that
operate in two-wheel drive until the driver
commands four-wheel drive operation.
Torque is then divided (50/50 fixed)
between the front and rear drive-shaft.
They do not corner well on dry pavement.
Selection of two- or four-wheel-drive is done
by a shifter, electric switch and/or locking
hubs.
4WD Definitions
Part-Time 4WD Shift
Controls
Electric switch or shift lever
Allows the driver to select which
axles receive power
Power can be directed to:
all four wheels
two wheels
none (neutral)
Some vehicles have a
low-speed range that can
be selected
Older designs may have different drive-
axle gear ratios.
This will result in a push-pull type action if the
vehicle is driven on dry pavement.
This phenomenon is called drive-line windup.
Part-Time 4WD
Part-Time 4WD Shift
Controls
Manual Shift lever
Some vehicles
have a
low-speed range
that can
be selected
Part-Time 4WD
Locking Hubs
Manual or automatic operation
Part-Time 4WD
Locking Hubs
manual operation
Part-Time 4WD
Locking Hubs
automatic operation - vacuum or electro-
magnetically operated.
Part-Time 4WD
Locking Axles - final differential will be of an “open”
design. When one axle is disconnected from the wheel
the spider gears rotate freely, neither axle receives
torque.
Used with an open differential
Part-Time 4WD
Locking Axles - Toyota’s Automatic
Disconnecting Differential (ADD)
Transfer Case Modes of
Operation
Ranges available with a part-time transfer case:
Neutral
Transfer Case Modes of
Operation
Ranges available with a part-time transfer case:
Two-wheel-drive—high
Transfer Case Modes of
Operation
Ranges available with a part-time transfer case:
Four-wheel-drive—high
Transfer Case Modes of
Operation
Ranges available with a part-time transfer case:
Four-wheel-drive—low
Full-time four-wheel drive (4wd) - Constantly
provides power to all four wheels. These
systems typically do NOT have a provision for
“low” operating range.
Axles and differentials are constantly locked.
Usually equipped with a center “differential”
instead of a transfer-case.
All-wheel drive - see above
4WD Definitions
4WD Systems
Full-time systems
Cannot be selected
out of four-wheel-
drive
May have an open
or limited-slip center
differential.
Full-time 4WD
Open Center Differential - If the wheels on
either final differential loose traction,
maximum torque is delivered to the axle
with the LEAST traction.
For this reason, limited-slip center
differentials are far more common today.
Full-time 4WD
Newer computer-controlled designs allow
for different operational modes.
Ford Automatic Four-wheel-drive (A4WD)
Navigator and Expedition
4WD AUTO - full power to the rear wheels.
The front wheels receive power as required.
4WD High - Full power to both wheels, no
center gear-reduction.
4WD Low - Low gear ratio in center
differential for (2:1 ratio) for slow, high torque
driving
On-demand four-wheel drive -
Automatically controlled 4WD. One axle is
driven until slip is detected or anticipated.
Computer controlled
uses wheel speed sensors and/or axle speed
sensors to detect slippage.
When slippage is detected, torque is sent to
the opposite axle. The amount sent depends
on the amount of slippage.
4WD Definitions
On-demand four-wheel drive
4WD Definitions
Viscous coupling in a center differential
4WD Definitions
Viscous coupling in a center differential
4WD Definitions
On-demand four-wheel
drive
Ford’s control-trac system
normal operation - 96% of torque is sent to
the rear wheels.
Upon slippage a computer energizes an
electro-magnetic clutch in the transfer case.
Up to 96% of torque can be sent to the front
wheels.
4WD Systems
Four-wheel drive systems without a center
differential.
Tire sizes must all be the same (this holds true for
any 4WD application)
Tread wear must be similar
Tire changes on an all-wheel drive must be done in
sets of four
Gear ratios should be the same in the front and
rear differentials.
Front Axle and Hub Service
Guidelines
Most front axles are
serviced like those
in 2WD systems
Follow the recommended
procedure for servicing
4WD hubs
Some hubs are not
serviceable and must
be replaced
Effects of Vehicle
Modifications
Installing larger tires and lift kits
Alters vehicle handling by changing unsprung weight
Increases steering effort
Causes a rough ride
May cause vehicle to wander and vibrate
Possible driveshaft working angle issues
Possible Vehicle Speed sensor issues
May necessitate computer programming
Maintenance Tips
Check the fluid level often
Check for fluid contamination any time the
vehicle has been driven through deep water
Use only the recommended lubricant
Always follow
the proper
towing
procedures

Four-wheel drive

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Why Four-Wheel-Drive? Advantages Improved tractionand handling Able to transmit torque to all four wheels Disadvantages Higher initial cost and weight Requires special service and maintenance
  • 3.
    4X4 = Fourwheeled vehicle, four wheels can receive torque. 4X2 = Four wheeled vehicle, two wheels can receive torque. Definitions
  • 4.
    4WD Designs RWD vehiclesequipped with an added transfer case, a front drive shaft, a front differential, and front drive axles
  • 5.
    4WD Designs FWD vehicleswith an added transfer case, a rear drive shaft, and a rear axle
  • 6.
    Transfer case -An auxiliary transmission mounted to the side or rear of the main transmission. No differential action is provided. 4WD Definitions
  • 7.
    4WD Components Transfer case Transmitspower from the transmission to the front and rear drive shafts
  • 8.
    4WD Components Transfer case Willtypically be a gear or chain type
  • 9.
    Types of TransferCases Drive chain design Has less weight to improve fuel economy Is usually used with planetary gearsets Is the most common design
  • 10.
    Types of TransferCases Gear-type Uses only gear-sets to transfer power Stronger & more durable
  • 11.
    Center differential - serves the samepurpose as a transfer case but allows for differential operation. 4WD Definitions
  • 12.
    Limited-slip center differential. Controls differentialoperation through a disc or cone-type clutch. Later designs are computer operated. 4WD Definitions
  • 13.
    4WD Components Drive shafts Connectto the front and rear differentials
  • 14.
    4WD Components Universal jointsor CV-joints Are used to connect front axles to the wheel hubs
  • 15.
    Part-time 4WD -Typically systems that operate in two-wheel drive until the driver commands four-wheel drive operation. Torque is then divided (50/50 fixed) between the front and rear drive-shaft. They do not corner well on dry pavement. Selection of two- or four-wheel-drive is done by a shifter, electric switch and/or locking hubs. 4WD Definitions
  • 16.
    Part-Time 4WD Shift Controls Electricswitch or shift lever Allows the driver to select which axles receive power Power can be directed to: all four wheels two wheels none (neutral) Some vehicles have a low-speed range that can be selected
  • 17.
    Older designs mayhave different drive- axle gear ratios. This will result in a push-pull type action if the vehicle is driven on dry pavement. This phenomenon is called drive-line windup. Part-Time 4WD
  • 18.
    Part-Time 4WD Shift Controls ManualShift lever Some vehicles have a low-speed range that can be selected
  • 19.
    Part-Time 4WD Locking Hubs Manualor automatic operation
  • 20.
  • 21.
    Part-Time 4WD Locking Hubs automaticoperation - vacuum or electro- magnetically operated.
  • 22.
    Part-Time 4WD Locking Axles- final differential will be of an “open” design. When one axle is disconnected from the wheel the spider gears rotate freely, neither axle receives torque. Used with an open differential
  • 23.
    Part-Time 4WD Locking Axles- Toyota’s Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD)
  • 24.
    Transfer Case Modesof Operation Ranges available with a part-time transfer case: Neutral
  • 25.
    Transfer Case Modesof Operation Ranges available with a part-time transfer case: Two-wheel-drive—high
  • 26.
    Transfer Case Modesof Operation Ranges available with a part-time transfer case: Four-wheel-drive—high
  • 27.
    Transfer Case Modesof Operation Ranges available with a part-time transfer case: Four-wheel-drive—low
  • 28.
    Full-time four-wheel drive(4wd) - Constantly provides power to all four wheels. These systems typically do NOT have a provision for “low” operating range. Axles and differentials are constantly locked. Usually equipped with a center “differential” instead of a transfer-case. All-wheel drive - see above 4WD Definitions
  • 29.
    4WD Systems Full-time systems Cannotbe selected out of four-wheel- drive May have an open or limited-slip center differential.
  • 30.
    Full-time 4WD Open CenterDifferential - If the wheels on either final differential loose traction, maximum torque is delivered to the axle with the LEAST traction. For this reason, limited-slip center differentials are far more common today.
  • 31.
    Full-time 4WD Newer computer-controlleddesigns allow for different operational modes. Ford Automatic Four-wheel-drive (A4WD) Navigator and Expedition 4WD AUTO - full power to the rear wheels. The front wheels receive power as required. 4WD High - Full power to both wheels, no center gear-reduction. 4WD Low - Low gear ratio in center differential for (2:1 ratio) for slow, high torque driving
  • 32.
    On-demand four-wheel drive- Automatically controlled 4WD. One axle is driven until slip is detected or anticipated. Computer controlled uses wheel speed sensors and/or axle speed sensors to detect slippage. When slippage is detected, torque is sent to the opposite axle. The amount sent depends on the amount of slippage. 4WD Definitions
  • 33.
  • 34.
    Viscous coupling ina center differential 4WD Definitions
  • 35.
    Viscous coupling ina center differential 4WD Definitions
  • 36.
    On-demand four-wheel drive Ford’s control-tracsystem normal operation - 96% of torque is sent to the rear wheels. Upon slippage a computer energizes an electro-magnetic clutch in the transfer case. Up to 96% of torque can be sent to the front wheels.
  • 37.
    4WD Systems Four-wheel drivesystems without a center differential. Tire sizes must all be the same (this holds true for any 4WD application) Tread wear must be similar Tire changes on an all-wheel drive must be done in sets of four Gear ratios should be the same in the front and rear differentials.
  • 38.
    Front Axle andHub Service Guidelines Most front axles are serviced like those in 2WD systems Follow the recommended procedure for servicing 4WD hubs Some hubs are not serviceable and must be replaced
  • 39.
    Effects of Vehicle Modifications Installinglarger tires and lift kits Alters vehicle handling by changing unsprung weight Increases steering effort Causes a rough ride May cause vehicle to wander and vibrate Possible driveshaft working angle issues Possible Vehicle Speed sensor issues May necessitate computer programming
  • 40.
    Maintenance Tips Check thefluid level often Check for fluid contamination any time the vehicle has been driven through deep water Use only the recommended lubricant Always follow the proper towing procedures