Wind up (transmission!!)
Submitted: Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 17:47
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Matt 4Runner
Hi all,
Am hoping for some advice.
What I have noticed on my truck is concerning me a lot and I am hoping for some of your 'expert' opinions!!!
First off - I have an old 4runner 2.4D with rigid axle part time 4wd.
When it is in 4wd (off road only!) it steers very differently to when in 2wd. I understand this is normal as the front
wheels are pulling etc. However, when we were on the harder packed dirt tracks where most cruisers and newer Hiluxes etc stayed locked in (4wd), even at 60 or 70kph, I had to fight the steering constantly with it slewing all over the place (like driving on ice!) - yet if I unlock 2wd is fine.
I have had the front hubs rebuilt just over a month ago including new cv joints, seals and swivel bearings etc. It had the same symptoms before (for over a year)
so I don't suspect the work done BUT I am assuming that the free wheel mechanism and the cv joints, wheel bearings, half shafts etc are all OK.
When climbing steep tracks etc, it pulls around a bit (left to right etc) but not to one side specifically. But I think that the both
wheels are locking in and driving.
Am wondering about 'wind up' between front and rear diff, would that cause my steering to seem so stiff, at higher speeds it was quite bad to drive. I am guessing that it would be because of the front axle staying locked. I don't mind unlocking on the gravel tracks (other than jumping in and out to unlock hubs!!) It does require a bit of reversing to be able to move the transfer back to 2wd too.
Is there any thing in the diff that may have seized etc that will keep the dif from working correctly ( I would equate the steering being so shaky that I picture it being like having a front diff locker engaged at 60 kph maybe??)
Lets have some guesses on solutions cos I am keen to get back out on the tracks but don't want to bust it all (or worse hit a tree cos of the 'ice' driving)
Thanks in advance,
Matt
Reply By: fatz - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 18:03
Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 18:03
Matt, not knowing your truck or whether you are the first owner or have ever modified it, my first thing to look at would be tyre sizez on front and back. Are they the same? if one is a larger diameter (front to back) than the other this could cause what you describe.
The second thing could be diff ratio. Has either diff ever been changed, if so was it replaced with the same ratio? any good mechanic or even a "bush mechanic" would be able to help you work out if the diff ratios are the same.
and lastly, but highly un likely, could someone have put in a welded diff centre in front? or is it busted or has it got a manual locker. this could give the symptons you describe when driving but un likely cause as much wind up as you describe.
Mick
AnswerID:
129709
Reply By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 18:28
Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 18:28
Also a long shot but in line with the above... A friend of a friend situation, installed his own Lockrite diff centre(front in a troopy) but aparently muffed the install. Similar probs as those mentioned. Never done one myself so I can't put forward a solution other than to say, he went back to Oposite Lock(supplier) and their workshop took it all apart, replaced a couple of pins(I think) and all was
well.
AnswerID:
129715
Reply By: Footloose - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 18:55
Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 18:55
AFAIK you would be unlikely to get much windup on a dirt road, as the
wheels can still "slip". With my 80 series the steering in 4wd isn't that much different to 2wd, it certainly doesn't behave like yours. As posted, tyre size or mech problems sound like it.
AnswerID:
129727
Reply By: Barnray - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 19:02
Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 19:02
If you can jack up the front end, try to turn one wheel with the hubs locked and in 4wd, the other wheel should turn in the opposite direction. There should be some resistance from the disk brakes and a little drag from seals etc. Barnray
AnswerID:
129731
Reply By: Matt 4Runner - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 13:51
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 13:51
The
wheels do turn in opposite directions when the front end is lifted up.
Would there be any external
sign of a Lockrite or similar? Is there anyway to check for it without a full axle strip down?
The tyres and
wheels are all the same brand and size. None are more worn than each other (visibly anyway)
Any other ideas or suggestions?
If the transfer case was 'tight' (worn or difficult to turn) would that impact on the front diff? Is there any way of eliminating some of these because they are all relatively big jobs to replace only to find that it wasn't the fault?
Cheers
Matt
AnswerID:
129872