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4WD transfer case question

av8rbilly

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Cleveland, OH
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2025 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss
New 2025 Colorado Trail Boss owner. Recently came across a post somewhere regarding engaging 4WD Low on a regular basis to prevent damage to the transfer case. We are unlikely to need to use 4WD low these days. Can anyone provide info on this?
 
I can't speak to the importance of this on late model vehicles but I know where the advice comes from. And it still makes sense to me. In older 4WD systems we were always advised to engage 4WD periodically to keep moving parts well lubricated by engaging them. Without engaging them fluids and grease was not being circulated and moving parts were sitting stagnate. For example the gear oil in the transfer case was not being properly circulated unless engaged. On the front axle things like manually operated hubs were sitting in grease that could thicken and make them hard to engage after years of not being used. When you engage a 4WD system a lot of things take place mechanically. Shafts move different gears and everything from the transmission to the front tires changes. This used to be accomplished by pulling on levers and locking manually locking hubs. . Now we push a button that adds a whole new level of technology to make all of those mechanical changes take place but it still happens.

Maybe I am old school but I still believe in it. If something is supposed to move it should be moved once in a while. Mechanical parts like gears that sit for long periods without being moved get stuck. Oil and grease needs to circulate. Seals need lubrication.
I could be wrong but I still believe all four wheel drive systems should be periodically engaged to keep things working properly.

Here is weird analogy. If a house sits unoccupied for an extended period the first systems that fail is the plumbing. Toilettes need to be flushed, valves need to be turned, and water needs to flow or things will fail.

So for what its worth, I believe all of you guys should be cycling those systems even if you don't use 4WD.

Steve
 
Thanks Steve. I can't remember on which forum I read the post, but I believe he also recommended doing so in an off-road situation (loose gravel?) and putting it in 4wd-low. Perhaps so there's some terrain "give" that wouldn't happen on concrete?

I'm not really an off-roader. Bought the 2025 TB a few weeks ago to replace my old 2002 GMC 2500HD. Got a great deal on the TB and it had a great assortment of standard features.
 
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Thanks Steve. I can't remember on which forum I read the post, but I believe he also recommended doing so in an off-road situation (loose gravel?) and putting it in 4wd-low. Perhaps so there's some terrain "give" that wouldn't happen on concrete?
A loose surface would be the proper way to do it but not necessary. It is more important just to get it done. If your on a hard surface don't turn the wheel to near full lock. It is turning on a hard surface that stresses the system as the wheels fight for traction moving at different speeds. If the steering wheel moves in your hands you have turned to tight. You will feel the truck fighting it. Engage the systems and drive forwards and backwards once in a while.
Also, if your not familiar with it know how to do it. 4wheel high can be engaged with the vehicle moving at up to 25 MPH 4wheel low must be engaged at a standstill with the vehicle in neutral.
Steve
 
A loose surface would be the proper way to do it but not necessary. It is more important just to get it done. If your on a hard surface don't turn the wheel to near full lock. It is turning on a hard surface that stresses the system as the wheels fight for traction moving at different speeds. If the steering wheel moves in your hands you have turned to tight. You will feel the truck fighting it. Engage the systems and drive forwards and backwards once in a while.
Also, if your not familiar with it know how to do it. 4wheel high can be engaged with the vehicle moving at up to 25 MPH 4wheel low must be engaged at a standstill with the vehicle in neutral.
Steve
Agree with all but shifting to 4WD low, don't you really want to be slightly moving around 2 mph in neutral. Granted most of my shifting into 4WD Low was off-roading in Moab with a Hummer H3, but my once every few months of doing it with this vehicle (and other GM vehicles) has been to shift into N then when slightly moving below 2 mph, going into 4WD Low. Never had a problem...so far. And yes, I also believe this is good for the parts.)
Guess someday I should read the manual to see what GM actually recommends.
 
Agree with all but shifting to 4WD low, don't you really want to be slightly moving around 2 mph in neutral. Granted most of my shifting into 4WD Low was off-roading in Moab with a Hummer H3, but my once every few months of doing it with this vehicle (and other GM vehicles) has been to shift into N then when slightly moving below 2 mph, going into 4WD Low. Never had a problem...so far. And yes, I also believe this is good for the parts.)
Guess someday I should read the manual to see what GM actually recommends.
I have had good luck engaging 4low in my Trail Boss by staying still in neutral most of the time. It is slow to engage but it gets there.

The 2 MPH roll you mentioned is one of many ways to "massage" these technological beasts into functioning. As I mentioned, electronic push button systems have replaced manual levers that used to let us muscle linkage, gears and shafts into place. The electronics are not as strong and finicky. They work best in ideal situations like the vehicle level and nothing under stress. If that's not the case sometimes you have to create movement or change the vehicles position. All the more reason to rutinely engage these systems to keep them smooth and ready to go.

I also do a lot of 4wheeling in a Wrangler Rubicon I don't report here. On top of a transfer case to shift (lever}, it also has electronically controlled lockers and sway bar. You practically have to dance with the damn thing to get everything in the position of your choice.

Steve
 
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I too had a wrangler at one time and pretty sure the 4x4 drive system on the Rubi is stronger than that on the current Silverados and I know the 4x4 system on the H3/H2 were stronger than put on the stock chevys back in the day.
Again, I agree to engage every few months for the heck of it. But not sure there is any actual proof it is needed. But pretty damn sure it does not hurt.
 
In my ongoing efforts to build myself a better mouse trap and get lower low range gearing for my truck I came across this older, but still relevant, article about the operations of the MP transfer cases. There is a lot that needs to happen electronically and mechanically to make a simple shift and reaffirms that, yes, it's a great idea to exercise the transfer case at least once a month. If, for no other reason, it gives the peace of mind that it'll work when you need it.

 

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What about just engaging the auto 4wd on the right terrain and speeds? Would that keep the mechanics periodically moving from daily 2wd?
 
What about just engaging the auto 4wd on the right terrain and speeds? Would that keep the mechanics periodically moving from daily 2wd?
Auto is computer controlled and only transfers power to the front when wheel slippage is detected, and then only at the 1:1 ratio of the high range in the transfer case. Low range is only engaged by pushing the 4lo button in neutral while at a stand still (or just slightly rolling) and waiting for a positive shift engagement. 🤙
 
I’ve learned a lot from this thread.
The Chevy thanks you. 💯
 
I have had good luck engaging 4low in my Trail Boss by staying still in neutral most of the time. It is slow to engage but it gets there.

The 2 MPH roll you mentioned is one of many ways to "massage" these technological beasts into functioning. As I mentioned, electronic push button systems have replaced manual levers that used to let us muscle linkage, gears and shafts into place. The electronics are not as strong and finicky. They work best in ideal situations like the vehicle level and nothing under stress. If that's not the case sometimes you have to create movement or change the vehicles position. All the more reason to routinely engage these systems to keep them smooth and ready to go.

I also do a lot of 4wheeling in a Wrangler Rubicon I don't report here. On top of a transfer case to shift (lever}, it also has electronically controlled lockers and sway bar. You practically have to dance with the damn thing to get everything in the position of your choice.

Steve
So true! mine stays in off-road the majority So I actually do the opposite and drive it on pavement in 2WD sometimes.
 
Interesting. I've only heard of this theory recently and it seems reasonable. But I'm no mechanic so what the hell do I know? Since I'm on the beach in soft sand regularly, I've always had some reason to drop into 4LO whenever I did something stupid, so I guess I never thought about it. But after reading this I'll make it a point to find an empty parking lot and go a few hundred feet in 4LO if it's been more than 6 months.
 
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