Grouching in 4WD

[Bigrob]

Hi Guys.

I recently discovered that I had been driving around with one of my auto hubs on, it was seized solid, I have now replaced both hubs, and it runs fine in 2WD, but when I put it in to 4WD I get a grouching sound from the front end when I de accelerate, it happens in high and low.
Has anyone got any ideas?

Nissan Terrano 2.7TD 1997

 

[jims-terrano]

You are running it on soft ground aren't you when in 4wd? How about changing the transfer box oil.

Jim T

 

[Bigrob]

Changing the oil was my next step,
I think that it might have got a bit hot running so long with the hub locked on one side.

 

[jims-terrano]

Not sure if only one side locked would cause any damage but I drive round often with both mine locked to keep it all lubed up. Also the later T2's have fixed hubs and they are turning all the time. My brake rings used to lock together and cause a clicking noise, the hub would eventually over heat rather than the transfer box. When I say over heat I mean smoking :?

If your changing your transfer box oil try and use Synthetic as it stays thin at colder temps, ordinary mineral oil seems to thicken when cold and cause drag in the transfer box and give the effect of 4wd.

Jim T

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

are you sure your hubs arent still acting up?

I must admit i have had all kinds of problems with them, and have very little faith in them, if it were me once they start playing up they would be replaced by manual hubs.

 

[Bigrob]

I am fairly sure that the New hubs are ok, they lock in and release. fine but I need to find some wet sticky stuff to try out the 4WD properly.

Any suggestions on what grade of oil or syinthetic, I should use in the transfer box?

 

[JonathanM]

If you think about the symptoms, ie auto FW hubs, no problems in 2wd but problems in 4 wd then it would suggest that the problems lies somewhere in the drive to the front axle, transfer box, propshaft, diff or driveshafts - start with the obvious, change the transfer box & front diff oil, then look at the prop shaft & driveshafts, including CV joints etc, as with FWH the front drivetrain is isolated from the wheels turning a CV problem wouldn't immediately be apparent.