Ive got an 02' Eiger 4x4 and im not sure if my front diff is working properly heres what i do know:
-With the whole quad off the ground on stands, in 4wd, the front two tires turn the in the same direction and speed same by hand, as i assumed they would
-with the front on jack stands, but in 2wd this time, the wheels turn in the same direction and speed by hand, but if you try to grab one tire and hold it still, it takes way to much effort to keep it still and turn the other, like it was still locked in 4wd

can anyone explain to me how exactly the front diff is locked? i only think it is busted/mis-adjusted(?) because of steering issues, and it doesnt seem to be stuck in 4wd i can see the cable moving as i take it in/out of 4wd

 

It's working right.

While the Eiger is a 4wd machine, it doesn't have any kind of locker for the front end so realistically, it's 3wd. Power to the front wheels will drift back and forth between each wheel, with power going to the wheel with the least amount of traction. Because you are testing things with the bike raised up in the air and there is no traction to either of the front wheels, you're going to get some strange results.

BTW, although the Eiger does not have a locker, you can 'cheat' it a little by lightly applying the front brake if you are stuck in the mud. While not as good as a full locker, this will direct power to both front wheels. There have been several times when I was pulling a load on slick surfaces when I could see all four wheels on my Eiger spinning at the same time.

 

yes its working right, like a truck when you take it out it will still be in 4wd for the next few feet or sometimes longer.. i can usually hear mine unlock with a little pop in the front after a few feet.. every time im in slick mud both spin and every time in water bottomed out they both spin. but as soon as they get some traction the one with the most traction quits! lol it sucks. i hate a diff that wont lock. im looking into shimming mine up in the front or something...