Binding issues
 

I know there are a million threads on this, but I feel that my situation is a little different than most so please bear with me.

A little background: As far as I can tell my AWD has never worked in the time I've owned my car. I've driven in several snowstorms this year and my front tires always spin out with no help from the rear, though occasionally I get a thud coming from the midsection of the car that I can only assume is the rear diff catching a momentary burst of power.

Well, lately I'm getting that thud a lot more often. Its happening under normal acceleration as well as under load.

Any ideas on what I'm looking at?

Re: Binding issues
 

If I heard a thud like that I'd think, transmission mount, or some slop in the driveline.

Try a steering-wheel-to-the-stop U-turn or dry pavement and you'll know in a hurry whether you have AWD binding. If your AWD is totally inoperative, it's not binding.

dcb