4 wheel drive trouble

[lacroupade]

Approx 2001 Nissan changed to fixed front hubs, the front transmission is driven all the time so there isn't much difference. It has been mentioned before but I wonder why they switched the design to fixed hubs?

Jim T

What do you mean 'fixed hubs' Jim? they haven't ever changed the design of the hubs as far as I am aware, all Terranos are part-time 4WD (i.e. rear-wheel drive only unless 4x4 selected) and I've got exactly the same hubs and 4x4 gear knobs on my 2003 Mk IV as on my 1999 MkII? Not clear what you mean?

And to be honest you've eloquently explained what a pain in the backside manual hubs are.......I still don't get why anyone thinks they are better than the OEM auto hubs which are designed for the job. I mean if you are really unlucky you break a snap ring that costs a couple of quid and takes five minutes to swap......:nenau

And @Tez - LMAO!!!!!!!!!

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

the later T2's change at the gearbox not the hubs, hence the levers inside being the same, i beleive it was just fasion as othe maufacturers had allready changed to this i.e shoguns suzuki etc who have shift on the fly, no need to stop.

they both have benefits, shifting at hubs, when they work, saves fuel as the front diff isnt being driven!

shifting at the gearbox means you can do it while on the move!


manual hubs save dragging the front diff over and save fuel, eliminate problematic hubs, as i have thrown good money after bad on brake rings for some hubs

plus, auto hubs have the added dissavantage of: when rocking back and forth to find traction in real bad mud they can dissengage and leave ou in 2x4 and without moving off again you cant get 4x4 back

but of coures changin fomr the comfort of the cab is a good thing

but then knowing the hubs will definaely work is also a good thing

with manual hubs the hwlo 4x4 experience feels much more positive, they seem to make the t2 feel like tractor, but you have to get out in the rain to do it LOL

 

[lacroupade]

Well you've defo lost me there Plank.

I'm certain they are the same mate but I stand to be shot down....my MkII is exactly the same, select 4x4 up to 25mph, and its a 99 model......so still not clear what mod was made here? EDIT: and thinking about it, so did my old maverick I bought new in 96 or 97.

And my 2003 truck has the same hubs, externally anyway.....never had to dismantle them :thumbs

I hear what you say about 'benefits' of manuals, but personally I'd rather be able to select/deselect at will and avoid transmission windup.

Be interesting to see who has busted snap rings and how often, doing what?

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

you see with many modern 4x4's transmision wind up is not an issue.

and with gear box change rather than hub change you dont need to reverse to deselect just change

we have Suzuki grand vitaras and you can change between 2x4 and 4x4 up to 60mph (i have seen it done at 90mph) with no need to even dip the clutch.

there are many 4x4 selection methods and i agree totaly, being able to do it from the cab rather than at the wheels is a bonus!

but having said that on a gear box switching vehicle, fitting manuals can save up to 6 mpg's so if you seldom use 4x4 what a bonus, and when you are using it a lot leave the manuals locked and change at the gearbox!

but the big benefti on an older t2 is reliability and cost, i have seen auto hubs completely fail, and sanp rings no longer work, usualy a bit of broken snap ring chips the edges of the main hub casting, if you can get good second hand ones then fair enough, but have you ever priced up new auto hubs, its scarey!

 

[lacroupade]

I see what you're saying Plank but I'm arguing (moi?) that nothing has changed on the terrano transmission that I know of - they've all been engageable on the run.

I've had a brand new 96 Maverick, a brand new 99 Terrano and a s/h 2003 terrano.....all had/have exactly the same operating procedure, hubs, speed of engagement etc...?? - and all have had to be reversed to disengage the auto hubs...??

I know there are plent of trucks you can change from 2x4 to 4x4 while moving at high speed, but the terrano ain't one of 'em and never was.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

is here anyone out there who currently has a late T2 to settle the debate?

to be fair i dont realy see the need to change betwwen 2x4 and 4x4 at over 25 mph does anyone? if your going at 60 mph and suddenly see an hazard that needs 4x4 surley the best thing is to slow down a bit?

 

[lacroupade]

is here anyone out there who currently has a late T2 to settle the debate?

Me! 2003 - the Mk IV. The only model after that was the 3.0 litre.

and I agree, but there are times, say when it turns out to be icier than you thought, when its easier to select 4x4 on the go because its difficult to find anywhere to stop safely.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Ok clever dick :lol

but they do change at the box not the hubs i'm confident with that bit, or at least i was

I have a ford ranger and that has a different system again, you have to stop initialy to select 4x4 but then you can change in and out as often as you like at any speed, right up until you disengage the hubs with a switch on the dash.

I do much preffer shifting from in the cab but if i could get 4 or 5 mpg's more with manual hubs i would put them on any 4x4

 

[lacroupade]

Ok clever dick :lol

but they do change at the box not the hubs i'm confident with that bit, or at least i was

I have a ford ranger and that has a different system again, you have to stop initialy to select 4x4 but then you can change in and out as often as you like at any speed, right up until you disengage the hubs with a switch on the dash.

I do much preffer shifting from in the cab but if i could get 4 or 5 mpg's more with manual hubs i would put them on any 4x4

No sweat - you had me going! LOL

As I understand it Plank, because on the Terrano/Maverick theres no drive to the front transmission until you select 4WD, not only are you already getting the fuel consumption benefit but I'm assuming you STILL need to select 4WD even if you have manual hubs, otherwise they wouldn't be driven?

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Whwn you have a 4x4 that selects at the gear bos the turning of the front wheels drives the front diff causing drag, manual hubs eliminate this.

On an early T2 the front hubs were often so unreliable most of them had one or the other engaged all the time and smilarly drove the front diff, hence causing drag ans wasting fuel (that bit is from personal expereince)

correctly operating auto hubs, will as you say cause no drag

but can you be confident they are working perfectly? once you looose faith in them say after 2 sets of inefective brake rings, manuals give a lot of piece of mind :thumbs

arent we a pair of anoraks? :lol

 

[jims-terrano]

T2 Hubs as follows.......

Very very early T2 came as standard with factory fitted nissan Manual Locking Hubs and the Auto Lockers were an option.

Then came Auto Locking as standard throughout the range

Then approx 2001 they fitted fixed hubs meaning the front transmision was driven by the road wheels all the time.

Drive from the gear box and engine is only applied when 4wd h or l is selected from inside the car on all the versions.

Everyone is different, an individual with their own opinions throughout the whole world and every different subject.

My opinion is that autos are fine when they are working and it's worth throwing a set of rings at them once. Mine jammed together and over heated the ns hub causing clouds of smoke to pour out of the front wheel arch. That was the last straw for me and I changed to manuals just like several people had done previously. Shark1e and Plank were the first two people I knew of that had gone to manuals. They suite me just fine and have never caused me a problem. Despite others almost forcing their points of view and people with manuals being almost out casts it really doesn't worry me as I have confidence in my hubs. I just wish the flippin car would start:doh

Jim T

 

[lacroupade]

Then approx 2001 they fitted fixed hubs meaning the front transmision was driven by the road wheels all the time.



Jim T

Jim where you getting this from??????? and how would you know you've got fixed hubs anyway?

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

good point Jim, I htink if you have working auto's strip them for cleaning and greasing once in a while (there is still a download i beleive?) as that seems to be the main reason for failure!

if they work well kepp them, if they dont, dont! but as im says on later gear box shofting vehilces manulas can improve enconomy.

 

[lacroupade]

Lads, I may regret saying this, put I'm putting a months money on the T2 being free-wheeling hubs until its demise in 2006. It never had 'fixed hubs'.

I can't speak for the 3.0 but I don't believe the truck was re-engineered when that lump was dropped in.......happy to be proven wrong.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

how can we fnd out? if it's not on here its not anywhere!

and, are you motivated enough to find out?, i know i'm far too lazy :augie

 

[wildbri]

Its quite easy to prove, just jack up a front wheel and rotate it, if the drive shaft rotates the
the hubs are locked.

I have auto hubs but manual would be useful to me so that i could use the low ratio gears without the front wheel drive, which would mean i could manoeuvre my caravan in low gear without the transmission locking up and this would save wear on the clutch. regards bri

 

[lacroupade]

how can we fnd out? if it's not on here its not anywhere!

and, are you motivated enough to find out?, i know i'm far too lazy :augie

Find out what? I forgot what we were arguing about? :nenau:lol:lol

 

[lacroupade]

Without feeling the need to swear

Jim T

And while I'm on a roll, 'piss' isn't a swear word.

I refer you to the standard King James Bible, wherein Isaiah Chapter 36 verse 12 shall reveal the truth to you my son. :thumbs

As the late great Dave Allen used to say (and it summed up his philosophy a treat I always thought), ....."may your god go with you". :bow

 

[jims-terrano]

Lads, I may regret saying this, put I'm putting a months money on the T2 being free-wheeling hubs until its demise in 2006. It never had 'fixed hubs'.

I can't speak for the 3.0 but I don't believe the truck was re-engineered when that lump was dropped in.......happy to be proven wrong.

A cheque will do nicely thank you:augie

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3759

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4112

:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap
:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

Jim T

 

[clivvy]

hold on, sorry if I am being a bit thick. If you have fitted manual hubs, then cant you just leave them selected in "4wd mode" all the time? whats the need to keep getting out and switching them if 4wd is engaged via the gear stick anyway??