Poor steering in 4wd mode only.

[Lincoln]

I was driving through a load of slush and water in 4wd mode and suddenly the steering was really resistant. It would turn but only with me pulling hard on the steering wheel. When I was moving really slowly and had the steering on full lock, the engine was stuttering like it was about to stall. Totally fine again in 2wd.

I reckon it's been doing it sinse my last off road jolly at the waimak. Do you reckon I've knocked something?

[4wdnuts]

id say when you went through the slush it caused the power steering belt to slip making it harder to steer. when in 4wd and turning at full lock it does take quite a bit of power away and thats why the motor will be trying to stall. unless theres any knocking or banging noises in there its probably ok

[KiwiBacon]

I'd jack up the front and check everything is turning freely.
It's normal that the steering is a little heavier in 4wd, but not massively heavier unless you've got difflocks in or something binding.

[Lincoln]

I gave all the grease points a good lube today and it seems to be a lot better. On full lock, the front wheels kind of skitter a a bit across the road but I think it's just because the rear wheels are forcing them forwards with too much power. Now that's it's greased up, the engine no longer sounds like it's going to stall and the steering doesn't become heavy any more.

I'll just keep an eye on it I reckon. Thanks for all your advice.