Slick roads 101

Well, I think the thing to take from all of this diff talk is that it is OK to engage the power divider(IDL) when moving as long as both axles are turning the same speed, correct? So say you're motoring up an icy hill at 35mph, and the drives start to spin up, simply roll off throttle to get both axles coasting at same speed for a second, put trans in neutral, engage IDL, and put shifter back in hole and gently release clutch. Right?
I would think that if the two drive axles are spinning at very different speeds it would be quite possible to shear off an engagement pin, or whatever the IDL uses to get power. Now, my question is, can the diff lock( if so equipped) be engaged in motion if the left and right side tires are rotating same speed? Or does it depend on what type of diff( lockers, etc) you have?
This is good info so we don't get the stopped-on-icy-hill situation.

 

you can't engage when wheels are spinning..if your wheels are turning at different speeds they must be spinning..as for taking out of gear? No need to just don't have your foot on the excelerator .so when you flip the switch..let off on the power..wait a second or two for the power divider to engage..and away you go..best time to engage or disengage is when you are at a stop...

 

That wouldn't have broke the power divider, if that was the case the shops in Canada would have a line up to the border with broken power dividers.

The power divider (axle-interlock) can be engaged and left in at all times, it can be engaged when the truck is in motion, never engage when the wheels are spinning on ice, or in mud.

The lockers (locking differentials) can be engaged when the truck is in motion, but will make steering difficult in slippery or muddy conditions, never engage when the wheels are spinning on ice, or mud.

 

My thought process on the power divider breaking in this scenario. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

Driveline is not turning at all, as truck is stationary (brakes frozen/locked).
Driver activates power divider (which is merely a 3rd "lockable/unlockable" differential between the axles).
Tho the switch is activated, complete "locked engagement" is not actually complete, as all moving parts are stationary. (same as where you can't get truck in gear at stoplight, and requires you to let the clutch out just enough to drop the gear into its slot (ie. 100% gear mesh)).

Now you have full torque being applied to driveline BEFORE the power divider had a chance to fully lock/engage.
That's like revving your engine and dumping your clutch before 1st (or whichever) gear is fully meshed. End result: BAM/BROKE.

 

Maybe the power-divider was already stressed from misuse in the past.

 

As my "trainer" told me, when I was training for my class A.
The best tool you have in the truck is the one between your ears.

Use it wisely, if that means parking for a few hours do it.
Or if you can reasonably roll at a slower speed comfortably have at it.

 

1" of snow here in Virginia Beach/Norfolk yesterday...... and the area goes stupid......... over 100 accidents yesterday. I live 5-10 minutes from work and it took me a hour and a half to get home.