Hello to all! I'm having problems with my 02 rancher 4x4. I noticed that my front wheels aren't engauging fully.
I jacked up all 4 wheels yesturday to check it out. All the wheels do turn but I can stop the front ones with my foot.
I don't hear any grindng sounds or anything unusual.
Anyone have any possible explanation. I don't waqnt to take it to the dealer if theres any chance its something I might be able to fix myself.
I thought about taking off the front differential, but think I need to get some input before I jump the gun.
I am pretty mechanially inclined but I've yet to tackle anything on my atv. Never had any need to.
Thought perhaps there might be some sort of clutch or something in there.
I don't have a lot of hours on this machine, however I have been using a snow plow on it for my long driveway.
Thanks for any input anyone might be able to give me.
bullseye670.....................................

 

It,s a limited slip front differential so its normal. The front tire with the most traction stop turrning and throws power to the other wheel. Try to stop both front wheels at once and see what happens.

 

It is NOT "limited slip" as TLC says, but rather "torque sensing". Aprox. 70% of the power should go to the wheel with traction. Have someone tap the front brake just before you try it again, but if you can still stop it with your foot you have some kind of major problem.

 

Are you sure ? My freinds 2006 500 Foreman was stuck in a deep mud section on a road with one front wheel in the mud and the other wheel up in the air because the bike was on a tilt ,the front wheel in the air was the only wheel that would turn. The front buried wheel in the mud would not turn at all.

 

Have your friend tap the front brake next time, and that will "reset" the diff more quickly.

 

I will tell him about that method for the future ,because if that wheel would of turned just for a bit I,m sure he would of got out of the spot on his own.

I know rocking it side to side helped my old 350 Big Bear in a situation like that ,but his Foreman is so large its much harder to use body language on it.

 

Wow!!! I sure didn't expect this much response already. Thanks, guys!
I'll put it back up on stands after work tonight.
The reason I started to suspect a problem was that I got stuck on a small snowbank while heading out ice fishing Sun. night. I couldn't get over it so I looked at one front wheel and it wasn't turning. My first thought was the Borge Warner 4x2 selector. I've had that a few years now. By the way, I do love that thing.
Anyhow, I was sure it was broke. Tried shifting in and out of 4x4 to no avail. I finally pushed it through the snow bank.
Looking at the drive shaft the other night I could see that it is indeed still turning to the front wheels when I stopped the front wheel.
I'll get my son out to help me tonight and see what I can find out. Maybe pick up a repair manual on the way home.
This is probable the only mechanical machine that I've got that I never needed one for.
yhanks again. I'll post my findings tonight, bullseye670..........

 

Like reconranger said, its a torque sensing diff. It works off of bias. Which means it can direct power to the wheel with the most traction...provided the other wheel has some traction. Being in the air has no resistance, so no bias . Tapping and even holding the brake to the front, provides the bias for torque to get to the tire which needs it.

 

The Warn 424 can get dirt in it and have problems, and/or it may need adjusting. There have been posts on all this in the past.....see if you can scare one up doing a search.

 

Well, its seems that my rancher does have a limited slip front end.
I put it up on just the rear jack stands and left the front wheels on the ground. I drove it off the stands using the fronts. Also had my wife sit on the atv and put it in gear. I held the front with the rear on stands. The front wheels both spun on the slick ground.
I think my trouble with traction is due to the fact that my son has worn down my tires by doing power slides all over my blacktop driveway.
thanks again for the help, bullseye670..................

I'll try not to be a stranger to this site. It seems like a real good forum.