put it in 4wd, stop in the snow cut the wheel a bit and hit the gas with your head out the window and see if them front tires are spinning.

sometimes crappy tires can cause horrible handling too (obviously) i bought a set of general grabber tires for my 2wd truck a few summers ago, ended up buying a set for my gf's 4x4 liberty. these are the worst tires ever made for snow. she has a set of winter tires she uses that are halfway worn down and i told her to try the grabbers last winter and wow did they suck. so i know it wasnt my 2wd that was the issue.

 

I'm thinking my 4wheel isn't working as well.

 

I'll try that, thanks

 

Just reading the title of the thread, I'd put money on 4x4 non-op.

90% of the time it's deteriorated vac lines. Not enough vacuum strength to yank the cable. You'll still hear the transfer case engage ... because it's still working. Power is getting to the front differential (more than likely) ... it's just that the front differential is not engaging the front wheels (vacuum servo is supposed to pull the cable, locking the front axles to the front driveshaft).

 

I've had the encoder motor crap out on me as well. The 4x4 system they have on these things are overly complex for what they are trying to accomplish IMO