Stuck in the mud !!! Suspect no AFH working........

[HenGastan]

Hi All - new to the site and glad to see there's like minded folk out there. Bought the Maverick for fun and games earlier this year and have enjoyed every minute so far, we've carted children, dogs, garden stuff, filled it with attic stuff for the dump and it hasn't complained a bit.

Main use is weekends in the mountains, walking and camping gear etc.........until last weekend I got stuck in the mud, flat ground 2m from the road and was partially rescued by a friendly young lady in her astra van. ( sorry for spinning mud on you if you're out there )...Ahem ! Despite all attempts I could only get rear wheel drive, I had assumed, but had some suspicions earlier, that 4WD was OK but maybe realise now may not be working as it seems to be no different in 2WD to 4WD on local rough ground.

Today I checked all the shafts to the front wheels and all seem to turn and engage as I might expect. From the forums I suspect the auto hubs are not engaging. Before I launch into Shark1es procedure to strip and clean tomorrow any advice or other checks to make would be welcome. I don't think I get the "click" that the user manual describes when transferring from 2H to 4H and back to 2H one reversing.

"Strictly" is still on so I will keep reading.

Thanks everyone - great site, sure to make more use in future

HenGastans

 

[knotting_pot]

You must be the same as me then matey, we have strictly on too!

There will be an expert along shortly to answer you I am sure.

One method I know is to reverse over a pretty high kerb so rear wheels are on grass till front wheels touch said kerb then try to keep going and your front wheels should pull up the kerb if 4wd is working. Rear wheels will spin if not. Rememeber to engage 4wd first though.

 

[Toolbox]

Helo HenGastan and welcome,


A simple way to check them is to lay under the front and turn the drive shaft going to each wheel individually by hand, they should lockup and prevent you from turning them, if they are ok.

 

[Deleted Member S]

The easiest way to check that you front wheels are engauging in to park on level ground select 4WD drive 1-2 metres forward to conect the hubs then switch off the engine & have a look at the drive shafts to see if they turn when you pull/push your motor or you could get someone else to do the hard work for you :smile:

 

[HenGastan]

Yes - I've been under it and can spin the shafts by hand in 2H, when I select 4H and try this again they are locked. I get the green light on the dash of course. I thought about jacking the back wheels just clear of the ground and see if I can drive forward on the fronts - still debating this method in my head though. I am reasonably convinced that I am only getting rear wheel drive for some reason...........is it over yet ?

 

[HenGastan]

Sweety - I did this I think - selected 4H, rolled the offside front tyre by hand and could see the drive shafts turning in the front. I just wondered whether this motion was being transmitted through the gear box from the rear wheels though as 4H was selected.

 

[Toolbox]

Yes - I've been under it and can spin the shafts by hand in 2H, when I select 4H and try this again they are locked. I get the green light on the dash of course. I thought about jacking the back wheels just clear of the ground and see if I can drive forward on the fronts - still debating this method in my head though. I am reasonably convinced that I am only getting rear wheel drive for some reason...........is it over yet ?

You will not be able to turn the shafts with it in 4wd, however that does prove the transfer box is ok.

If you can turn the half shafts freely in 2wd, with the wheels on the ground your auto hubs aren’t locking up and need looking at.

 

[HenGastan]

Cheers Jeremy and all here..........will try this in the morning.

 

[Jocky]

Another quick test.

On tarmac put into 4 high and move slowly and turn left and right. If its working you will find it difficult to turn car ,it will want to continue in a straight line.

ONLY DO THIS OVER A VERY SHORT DISTANCE AS IT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE

 

[cssuk]

easiest way is on a ramp 4 wheels in the air or do a standing start front wheels turned on some wet grass

 

[rossco]

Just a quick question, when you got stuck were you already in 4x4 or did you engage once you got stuck ?

The reason being auto hubs need a bit of friction to engage and some times on a slippery surface like mud you want get the tension to engage the hubs.

 

[willow]

Hi All
did this thread get sorted and what was the cause of the hubs not working
Thank you :smile:
Wendy