Center locking diff?

[ezapar 2]

In 4WD, does the Bronco lock the center diff?

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[dgorsett]

Yes an no. In 4H or 4L the transfercase is 'locked'. In 4A 4wd engages and disengages as required automatically (with no differential) when needed. There is no true transfercase differential in any drive mode

 

[Valhalla]

There is no center differential, it uses a transfer case. As stated above it has some different functions. One of those being on the 4A setting it lets the front "slip" so that it mimics an AWD system. my terms may be wrong, but I think I conveyed the idea.

 

[SierraBronco]

Yes an no. In 4H or 4L the transfercase is 'locked'. In 4A 4wd engages and disengages as required automatically (with no differential) when needed. There is no true transfercase differential in any drive mode

With 4A the transfer case is a differential, using a clutch to send variable power to the front differential. 4H or 4L doesn’t have a physical lock on the advanced transfer case, just a ball ramp that is fully engaging the clutch.

Non-advanced tcase does in fact have physical locking dogs and is not a differential.

 

[ezapar 2]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[SierraBronco]

Thanks for the replies.

Is there something going on or just curious?

This video shows the tcase being taken apart and shows the clutch. 4:46 and 15:58 are notable timestamps

 

[ezapar 2]

Was just curious.

 

[Q1svt]

… the OP has his answer.

This video shows the tcase being taken apart and shows the clutch. 4:46 and 15:58 are notable timestamps

@sierrabronc, I haven’t seen any info or posts… the video you shared the damages was flat towing (maybe 4a) …

Do we need to do the flat tow procedure to configure /to put a Bronco in, if the Bronco is being towed off trail /recovery for any reason ( break down, battery, damage etc) ??

I’ve just always skipped over the idea that I needed it… but thinking we might need to…

Tks

 

[SierraBronco]

… the OP has his answer.




@sierrabronc, I haven’t seen any info or posts… the video you shared the damages was flat towing (maybe 4a) …

Do we need to do the flat tow procedure to configure /to put a Bronco in, if the Bronco is being towed off trail /recovery for any reason ( break down, battery, damage etc) ??

I’ve just always skipped over the idea that I needed it… but thinking we might need to…

Tks

I have seen threads on it pop up many times but never clicked as it wasn’t applicable to me.

Trailer will take care of it for sure.

 

[Valhalla]

Chock and remove driveshafts offroad would be my advice.

 

[bf4445]

I.m confused. I always called A differential the device on the axle assemblies that transfers the engine power from the drive shaft to the axles and the mechanical device that switches between 2 and 4wheel drive the transfer case connected to the trnsmission.

 

[crenca]

I.m confused. I always called A differential the device on the axle assemblies that transfers the engine power from the drive shaft to the axles and the mechanical device that switches between 2 and 4wheel drive the transfer case connected to the trnsmission.

Maybe that's like calling a copy machine a Xerox?

Any device that differentiates , that allows differentiation between two wheels on the same axle (i.e. the "pumpkin") or between two (or more) axles front-rear (i.e. the "transfer case" and/or "center differential) is technically a differential.

How that device accomplishes differentiation, mechanically or electro-mechanically, is various. In the 4x4 world there is a strong association with the traditional mechanical differential (and it's various forms - open, LSD, lockable) but there are other kinds, including the wet-clutch pack kind inside Ford's "4A" transfer case.

 

[SierraBronco]

I.m confused. I always called A differential the device on the axle assemblies that transfers the engine power from the drive shaft to the axles and the mechanical device that switches between 2 and 4wheel drive the transfer case connected to the trnsmission.

Differential allows for different rotations out of a splitter. Or…a differential in rotation. The Advanced transfer case in 4A, while the rear axle output is fixed, does allow for a differential on the front output. You can use 4A on dry pavement without issue. That wouldn’t possible without a differential…unless of course you only went straight.

 

[CalvinT]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_(mechanical_device)

 

[crenca]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_(mechanical_device)

I would say wikipedia has not kept up. Look at that history, ends in 1958. Not sure when (Porsche in the 959 of the 1980's comes to mind) exactly but eltro-mechanical systems (mostly wet clutch packs) have been doing differentiation for a while now.

I wonder how the EV world is doing it, since most of it is single motor on front, rear, or both axles. Even the quad motor systems have to differentiate via computer/motor control.

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