Chains Chains, tire ratio's & 4wd Question

[Erik Graham]

Greetings;

I've read a number of posts reminding owners to make sure that the ratio of the sizes of front and rear tires must remain the same to avoid stress on the front end when using 4wd. Does putting chains only on the rear tires create enough change in diameter to cause any problems if you were to engage 4wd? I'm thinking that it wouldn't make much difference if you were on snow (skidding logs and such) but what about on hard ice or pavement?

Cheers, Erik

 

[pdowling1]

Not to worry, chains have enough slip on hard surfaces that any resulting change in diameter won't matter.

 

[john_bud]

Ice is no problem. If you are on hard dry pavement, why are you in 4wd? The speed difference is taken up by tire slip (wear) and generated heat in the driveline. Don't do that.

jb