Thanks guys for some good common sense answers, going to try just a fluid cleaning/change today first and see if it fixes it before I tear it apart to check garter spring. I'll let you all know how I make out so we all will know for future reference. Also one quick thing--I can see where the 4 o'clock position would be correct because if theres to much fluid then it would cause a foaming of the fluid and would then not lubricate as well.

 

I have always had this issue on my 1999 scrambler. I've learned that if you engage the tranny when the wheels are turned, the pins can 'interpret' the differing rates of turn on your wheels as slippage, and engage the AWD, causing one side to pull. I just had to train myself to go forward for at least 2-3 feet in a straight line whenever I am coming out of reverse to avoid causing the issue. Of course, I bought my '99 in '01, so it is possible the pins were somewhat worn when I got it, but I change the fluids fairly regularly, and haven't noticed it making any difference.......

 

I was having the same problem and just changed the fluid. seems like it helped so far. didn't get to test it that much though.

 

The hubs don't like dirt so make sure they are clean. Thats the biggest cause. I have had to replace some of the armature plates becuase they were warped. If you do decide to replace the gator spring make sure you have the special tool to put it back on otherwise you will cause more problems. good luck.

 

Well I took the drain/fill plug out and the magnet on the end was all NASTY and the whole tablespoons worth that came out on the left one just had me shaking my head about the lack of maint. of some people. I decided to take a chance and spun the hole back to 12o'clock position and filled it right to the top, went to right side and there was not much difference in the condition and roughly the same amount of fluid so I did the same thing filled it right to top. I fired it up and went 2 to 4 wheel forward,backward not far, just 100ft forward 25ft backward and I did it about 6-8 times then went and jacked back up frt end drained both sides, fluid was pretty dirty but nothing like the original gunk that came out I then unscrewed both sides caps off and pulled the cotter pin&nut and popped out the bearings--bearings looked good and thats when after looking in at things that I shouldn't go any farther without a manual, so I took a washer bottle filled with AT fluid and with nozzle on stream squirted it in at the rollers and spun the tire while doing it to help clean things in there then I blew it out with the compressor air gun. I put it all back together, filled with the proper amt. of fluid and ran it for a hour or so and then drained fluid one more time-magnet came out clean and so did fluid so I refilled it and so far it all seems FINE-- So a real good cleaning and the proper amt. of fluid and its all good so far. For the fluid I filled it through the same hole I drained it from, then spun wheel to position hole at 3o'clock and let fluid drain till it stopped while at 3o'clock and called it good.Time will tell now, I figure if it does it again soon then its time to change the garter springs. Thanks for all the suggestions and help--MaineWheeler