How do I know if my 2004 Rav4 has 4 wheel drive

ive had that happen before, if there was a binding in the drive train at the time you took it out of 4wd it could have stuck till you started to move, if it only happened once don't worry about it, if it becomes a reoccurring problem you might want to have it checked out

if you are on any solid ground like asphalt or cement it will always grab and hop as you call it. if you get into loose soil or real snow situations then it should not do that any more. mine does it every time while plowing snow if i run across dry pavement or clean pavement.

you may be right because I don't believe GM uses cb joints .on it 4wheel drive .

Hi, you have all wheel drive in an Escalade, and is always active. You cannot disable it, as it has a viscous clutch in the transfer case, and always applies power to the front, and rear wheels. Thanks...Coop

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. Not too hard to replace just greasy. The bearing probably has a flat spot on it caused by lack of grease. If you don't replace it, it could ruin the wheel shaft. Sometime when you put a car on a lift and turn the steering wheel it won't make a sound because the weight of the car is not on the wheels.

if it were engine/gearbox you would feel the vibration at a specific rev range (say 3000 to 3500)but you say that when you put your foot on the clutch it gets worse....at 70 mph....so look for something from the tyres,wheels,bearings,rotors,drive shafts,
the first thing is to have the wheels dynamically balanced(up/down/sideways)then check bearings......,going up in cost,always start with the cheapest parts as these tend to go quicker.

ive heard more than once about this problem ive been told its something in the switch itself easy enough to change out hope this helps

im sure you checked this but they have a habbit of snapping front prop, i would guess this has happend and been removed. the transfer box is a borg and worner, on a p36 i have never had or heard of trouble, ive been inside p38 transfers and there is nothing to prevent 50 50 split power. the axle its the same. check the prop is still there, if so get back to me.

Add 3 quarts, then start checking the dip stick. Add extra until you're within range.

you need to go to a body shop who does guard rolling and get it done properly as the 17's will look better than 15's, they can do it with out damageing the paintwork