Mechanical Resistance at low speeds. Anyone else experience?

[Nexus1155]

Hey guys I know my bucket has some issues. It has a decent header leak and is stumbling but I don't think this contributes to my current issue.

At low speeds I can release my foot off the brake and it feels as if there is a physical resistance holding it back. The vehicle will at times not move until I give it some gas. When I do give it some gas it shudders slightly then proceeds to pickup but only that initial blip in the throttle from a dead stop is the issue. It is very odd. Transmission? Diffs? Tcase? Thanks

 

[Blckshdw]

Sticking caliper(s) maybe?

 

[Nexus1155]

I was thinking they may be frozen because I need to get brakes down and they are starting to scrape, but never had them sieze on me in any other circumstance. I just asked around. Someone said torque converter. God I hope not...

 

[Inert_Static]

Completely hosed hubs ? That was my first thought.

Notice a difference in MPG ? Any weird sounds ?

 

[Sparky]

Sounds like a sticky brake to me.

 

[AWD V8]

All four wheels safely off the ground.

Spin the wheels by hand to check resistance.

Possible seized caliper, park brake cable, or in 4wd?

 

[Nexus1155]

Thanks for the replies on what to check! I am going to do 4 wheel brakes all around with the brake booster first. Then will report back with what I see. I like to document things on here just so others who may have the same issue can get it resolved without throwing tons of parts at it...

 

[mrrsm]

This will sound crazy... but what you are describing is precisely symptomatic of VERY LOW TIRE PRESSURE. It is getting colder now and according to Charles Law and Boyle's Law:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles's_law
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyle's_law

...when the ambient temperature drops considerably in Winter Time... the air in your tires will condense so dramatically and shrink to the point of dropping from 30 PSI to what seems like 10 PSI in nothing flat. And speaking of FLAT...the lower your tires' pressures become... the wider the physical contact space of your tires will become where they meet the pavement, thereby increasing friction... and so ...if you needed to get out of a sand dune hole... this condition would be helpful... but under normal driving conditions, this added resistance will cause the vehicle to feel like you have a boat anchor attached behind every time you take your foot off of the gas pedal.

The reason this sensation subsides a bit when you speed up is because Centrifugal Force is causing the tires to expand outward the faster you go, lessening the size of the tire foot print on the road surface when at speed and so reducing some of the friction...and then suddenly it collapses as you slow down. Get a good Tire Pressure Gauge and please examine this possibility and I will bet Dollars to Donuts that this is your present problem.

 

[hockeyman]

I had a slight drag on my rear wheels, so I removed the brakes and calipers, then re-greased the guide pins (in the calipers) and cleaned off the metal guides that the brakes sit in. The guides were very rusty and dirty! Anyhow, after re-assembling and taking it for a 5-6 mile ride, I lifted the back of it up and re-checked the wheels. They did spin much easier.

I also wanted to say that when the calipers were off, I removed the rear rotors and thoroughly cleaned the parking brake shoes (both sides) and made sure the rotors spun okay when putting them back on. There is an adjustment on the PB Shoes that you can turn for more/less resistance...if needed.

 

[Mooseman]

Parking brake is adjusted much the same way regular drum brakes are adjusted. You adjust until you get a slight drag. Over time, it will position and wear in just right even without using them.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Check your hubs/bearings as well

 

[Nexus1155]

Heh. Ive been working like a dog i havent had much time for my project car let alone my main one. Thanks for the updates. I wondered what it was. Had an appt to lift on a lift to check it out until last night it all of a started making a humming noise. Shit. Might be the bearings still but from both axles it looks like it puked grease everywhere. And also the transfer case pissed all over itself. Maybe the axles are from being lifted? Why would both do that. I think this may be the death of the xuv. I have to see what tcase this takes an np4 or 8. Sorry typing on my phone is shit..

 

[bigGman44]

A friend had a similar problem in a Bravada and it ended up being the transfer case had locked up. As in it just stayed in 4wd. Bought a junk yard unit for about $300.

 

[gladesteen]

I had this exact problem. Changed out both hubs with Timkens and it rolls like brand new again. Amazing difference.