It is the differential lock and it's relationship with the AWD system. It often occurs when executing a tight turn, uphill, in reverse, on a hard surface. You will find that it will not occur on loose surfaces such as gravel, as the tyres can slip and relieve the transmission wind-up. Often it depends on the way you entered the manoeuvre or the way your turned in and parked before commencing the reverse. If you turn in sharp one way and then try to exit on the opposite lock, the transmission had already got itself well wound-up and this makes it most prone to the problem. The forces involved are huge and can stall your motor. It does get better as the car ages and the diff plates and springs free up a bit. Best solution is to be aware of it and ease the car forward one way to relieve the loads before commencing the reverse. Or if commencing a reverse and experiencing it, stop and move forward again to relieve the load and make your turn in two bites, as if doing a three point turn. It sounds a daunting thing but I find it no real issue. You learn to accommodate it. I have written on this elsewhere in this forum but haven't had time to find it.
FWIW, my AWD Toyota Landcruiser 80-series does exactly the same thing. It has a diff lock and is Full time 4WD. It only did it on a hard reverse turn on a steep slope like my old driveway, when backing out onto the street and when the axle was cold. Once warmed up and the lube has circulated the diff plates, it rarely did it.
Last edited by Doug_MPS6; 20-02-2012 at 02:03 PM.
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