diff ratios

[abauer01]

iok now dont ask me why i wanna no but how can you tell if the front and back diffs are different ratios is the difference in spinning easy to see ?? Also when changing from 4x4 to 2wd is it still in 4x4 while the lights are flashing ??

thanks for your help

[j-top paj]

they shouldnt be different, why do you ask?

[abauer01]

i have put a different one in it out of a v6 nh wagon and mine is a 2.5tdi nh shorty but as far as i can tell when driving it is fine ????? is there an easy way to check without having to pull covers off and count teath ???

[j-top paj]

whats the plate under the bonet say it is?
that will give you the original ratio of the 2.5 u have.
or i think you rotate the shaft and count the wheel rotations?

[-Scott-]

Jack one front/one rear off the ground - right side is probably better.
Handbrake OFF
Make sure transfer is in 4wd - this is the tricky bit. 4HLc, with front disconnect engaged. May need engine running?
Gearbox in neutral.
The two wheels off the ground should turn together.
Mark each tyre/rim (top or bottom) and turn ONE wheel one full revolution. Compare the positions of the marks again. If in doubt, go multiple turns. If you can't pick a difference after 20 turns, I'd say you've got the same ratios front and rear.

Good luck,

Scott

[abauer01]

i have done some checking and wat not and they are different .. i have used my 4x4 with the different ratios will this of damaged anything that i need to worry about ?? also does anyone wanna swap a 5.29 ratio front diff for a 4.625 ratio one ?? lol

[-Scott-]

i have done some checking and wat not and they are different .. i have used my 4x4 with the different ratios will this of damaged anything that i need to worry about ?? also does anyone wanna swap a 5.29 ratio front diff for a 4.625 ratio one ?? lol

In 4H, the different ratios front & rear mean your centre diff has had a nice work-out - unless you drove London - Sydney or some other great distance, I wouldn't be too worried.

You should only be using 4HLc/4LLc on low traction surfaces which will allow a tyre to slip. In this instance, you would have had a tyre slipping much more, so you've probably added to tyre wear. You may be up for new tyres a bit earlier than otherwise.

If you had your centre diff locked on a high traction surface (like bitumen) you should have noticed a horrible problem - car not wanting to drive, tyres chirping - if you could get them to slip. You would have to try REALLY hard to create damage, and I'd say anybody that stupid deserves the trouble they get.

Bottom line - you've identified the problem WITHOUT breaking anything first. I don't see anything to worry about.

[abauer01]

good good im prety sure it will be fine then because i only used it to get through mud and to go up and down some steep hills .. another thing i noticed that could be helpful to others when goin down a hill it tended to surge must of been as it needed to catch up from the different ratios..

thanks for everyones help very appreciated !!