What causes chipped and broken inter-axle differential lock clutching teeth?

The cause of chipped and broken inter-axle differential lock clutching teeth is primarily due to cornering with the inter-axle differential locked. When a vehicle is cornering, the outside wheels travel a greater distance than the inside wheels. If the inter-axle differential is locked during this maneuver, it prevents the differentials from allowing the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds. This creates excessive stress on the clutching teeth as the mechanical components are forced to turn at the same speed, leading to chipping or breaking of these teeth.

In contrast, shifting the inter-axle differential lock on dry pavement can lead to other issues, but it typically does not cause immediate damage like cornering can, since it generally relates to traction concerns. Driving with low tire pressure usually affects traction and handling rather than directly damaging the differential lock teeth. Excessive axle play can impact overall driveability and component wear, but it is not the primary cause of damage to the clutching teeth under specific driving conditions such as cornering. Thus, the conditions associated with cornering while locked represent a significant stress on the differential lock system, making it the correct cause for the damage observed.