New wet pavement handling issues?...

[Mac]

No binding or grabbing that I have noticed, would that be obvious in the rear-end at slow speeds?--I'd 1,000% notice it up-front but I'm guessing the fact I haven't noticed it in the rear probably means it's not happening.

No Trac Lok in the front so no issue with oil type there

Sponsored

 

[npgeorgeuw]

I think mine is locking sooner and binding a little in tight turns under light throttle.
I used Amalie full synthetic 75w-90 that has the limited slip additive. I am going to go buy a bottle of Mopar 4318060AC which is the limited slip additive and see if it makes a difference, local dealer has the 4 ounce bottle for $8.20, will drain out 4 ounces and then add the bottle in.

lemme know how that goes. When you say you think it's locking sooner can you actually feel a change in handling when it engages or is it just the feeling of binding? I've never felt any change in the rear even when it was basically fish-tailing (aside from the fishtailing). Deep snow, etc, never any change. Then again, I've never really lost traction when it wasn't part of the plan for the drive. Not sure how touchy they are and how quick they engage, etc.

 

[npgeorgeuw]

No Trac Lok in the front so no issue with oil type there

yeah, I just meant if it was binding, etc. up front I at least know what that feels like. Having the rear be unstable in any way is a completely new feeling to me but I'm assuming binding, etc. is painfully obvious back there.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Maybe something just with TracLoc... My Overland is dead stable on slick surfaces.

What you are describing almost perfectly describes what I dealt with in my 2wd Canyon... it was unstable on slick surfaces. Wet roads and turning almost guaranteed seeing the rear end try to come around. I learned to control it, and had fun with it, but did not like the handling on wet surfaces.

 

[sdk131]

SO I have noticed this more recently in my 21 sport s with max tow and 285/70/17 bfg ATs. I only have a 1.5" spacer up front and a .75" spacer in the back. However, in my case it was slight and honestly did not surprise me at all given: it's a truck, nose heavy, with AT tires. Basically I went into an on-ramp a tiny but hot and broke the rear end loose a little. I had been driving the same ramp at roughly that speed the week before with my home made plywood topper (approximately 150-175lbs) and it was perfectly fine. It seems that just having that extra weight back there made a huge difference. I'm also wondering if the cooler weather is playing a tiny role in my case. I find I have no issues if I take the ramps at the posted speed limit.

At least for me, and at the moment I am chalking it up to me driving a few mph too fast, and the light rear end. While it was not at all a race car, i was always able to comfortably drive my prior car (VW passat with a sport suspension and high performance all season tires) at speeds well above posted limits...so I needed to re-train myself that I was in a Jeep/truck again.

 

[Mojavematt]

I live in Everett, work in Seattle downtown.

Nice. Im in Lake Stevens. I dont drive the gladiator much though. I have a company rig.

 

[kevman65]

If you haven't already, verify your traction control isn't turned off.

I run with mine off in the warm months, if we get a rain and I haven't turned it back on, the rear end gets loose as hell. Among other things the traction control will lower the torque going to the rear wheels.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

No binding or grabbing that I have noticed, would that be obvious in the rear-end at slow speeds?--I'd 1,000% notice it up-front but I'm guessing the fact I haven't noticed it in the rear probably means it's not happening.

You'd know. Agree it sounds like it isn't happening.

 

[atxatxatx]

Your all terrain tires will not grip like a sedan all-season one, add in RWD and the higher center of gravity plus weight a Jeep can be handful in certain wet conditions, advantage with the gladiator is the longer wheelbase so it's more forgiving than a Wrangler. One just has to drive it slower in these conditions, you can't throw it into a corner like a car, and we have a ton of leaves / pine needles on the roads right now, it's slippy out there. It's been a very dry summer so it's still a transition. Be safe , it's meant to be really wet tmrw.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My A/T tires do tons better than my H/T tires did on wet pavement and even in heavy rains.
Total difference.

Limited slip can be iffy in certain conditions. I've had many vehicles with it, and many without. I like it - but........... if it's "tight" what happens on a turn is that one tire grips and the other slides a bit instead of turning different speeds like they must on tight turns.
I know my cars with limited slip I can hear one tire slide or spin on turns when the blacktop is hot or there's any sand at all - so I assume if the pavement is wet, it's doing the same thing.

I have a magazine article somewhere about limited slip differentials where they investigated what did better and when they did better.

These are supposed to have the modified lube in them as spec'd by the owner's manual as I recall....
Yup - here it is.

We recommend you use Mopar® Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 75W85) (API GL-5). Models equipped with Trac-Lok Limited Slip Differential require a friction modifier additive.

 

[Mac]

Added the Mopar friction modifier even though the oil I used had it in it. Definitely made a difference, just extracted 4 ounces and added the little bottle in. Seems quieter as well after the initial oil change I would occasionally hear a slight gear wine in a slow sharp turn, also doesn’t seem to scrub the inside tire when starting and taking a sharp turn with light throttle.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

also doesn’t seem to scrub the inside tire when starting and taking a sharp turn with light throttle.

Interesting - so I am thinking, educated guess, based on what you have said here, that perhaps the friction modifiers in standard "made for limited slip" lube may not be quite up to MOPAR specs?
Anyway, your comments are interesting in any case.

There are multiple types and designs of "limited slip" so I'm thinking of digging into the specs on some of these lubes that are for limited slip and seeing if I find anything.

 

[Josh00333]

This is why select-trac is best trac, no issues tracing.



Seriously, it sounds like every other truck I've had in the rain. Smaller lighter the worst, my Toyo was really bad, 1500 not as bad (heavier), and my 2500 never had issues (50 gal transfer tank in the back).


<----------------- Pac Wet driver Oregon coast, Portland, Seattle last 25 years.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is why select-trac is best trac, no issues tracing.



Seriously, it sounds like every other truck I've had in the rain. Smaller lighter the worst, my Toyo was really bad, 1500 not as bad (heavier), and my 2500 never had issues (50 gal transfer tank in the back).


<----------------- Pac Wet driver Oregon coast, Portland, Seattle last 25 years.

Yeah, bottom line is most trucks, including, maybe especially these, have a light ass-end.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Would the taller tires allow for more slippage before it engages the LSD?

Sponsored