Does anyone else notice this while riding in deep snow (6"+)

While in 4x4, It's a constant fight with the steering riding in the snow, the wheels (handlebars) seem to zig-zag from left to right like crazy as each tire tries to find traction...? It feels like the visco keeps cycling from one side to the other as the front tires spin in the snow. If I go back to 2x4 it stops the zig-zag.

It's very unstable and uncomfortable- as it's nearly impossible to control the motion and it gets exhausting. It's even worse up a snowy hill.

This might be the first major flaw I've experienced with any of my can-am's visco

 

I noticed when we were doing a very tight technical trail at Jericho in Berlin, NH that my son's Renegade had a slight burnt oil smell as the 4wd was getting a workout going over the rocks and stumps and constantly having to change direction. It is also slower to engage than the Polaris system or systems that use a button or lever to engage. It comes on gradually rather than right when you need it. They say the 2011s have a quicker engaging system that is easier to deal with. My son didn't tell me anything like what you were describing though after our snow trip 3 weeks ago. But, his arms are probably much larger than yours. Just kidding. He is a Moose sized 19 year old though.

 

thanks moose-
I know on the older diffs the visco was a little slower to kick in- but I think that's not the case any more. I've watched mine kick in- it's an instant lock-up.
I'm thinking that can-am made them a bit more sensitive to kick in sooner, and as a result, when riding in snow- one tire will grip, then slip... so the other tire gets the power for a second until it slips, then it goes to the other tire...over and over again.
I watched a few youtube vids of riders going through mud- and their bars are zig zagging- I don't know if all of'em do it, but I think it happens more on the redesigned 08-11 front diffs.
If there's any snow up at lmft this weekend, I'll get some video of it.

what year is your sons rene?

 

He's got an 09 Renegade 500. Gets great gas mileage, and is pretty sporty. Loves it. He can toast my X2 and my buddies' Sportsman 500s pretty handily, but the Sportsmans will definetly outpull it. It is pretty nice and light handling for a utility machine. CanAm did a good job. He had an older Polaris ATP 500. Great utility quad but brutal ride. Had a solid axle 400 lb. rated rear. Downright abusive.