Low Range Question

[ben4386]

Hi guys, I was just wondering if its bad to drive my 4wd in low range without the front hubs engaged?

Cheers

ben

[alien]

I've done this a fair bit and never encountered any issues.. its very handy in peak hour traffic to crawl in first low rather than constantly clutching i found =) haha

i do try not to do it too often though, something about it just doesnt seem right.

[Gwagensteve]

No It's not bad per se, just be aware that you can put lots of load through the axle/suspension - say if you were punching the throttle on a high traction surface.

Normally, 2wd low is useful for maneuvering a trailer or similar.

Don't go silly doing clutch dumps or anything and it's fine.

Steve.

[macca81]

I've done this a fair bit and never encountered any issues.. its very handy in peak hour traffic to crawl in first low rather than constantly clutching i found =) haha

x2

[ben4386]

Thanks for the help, any more would also be appreciated


Ive got a 4 cylinder 4wd and it lacks power sometimes so i just wanted to see if this is a safe practice

cheers. ben

[Gwagensteve]

Ahhh, that's a different problem.

If you're doing it because the car is struggling, then you have to be aware that you're putting at least twice the torque into one axle than the manufacturer intended. IMHO it's only suitable for low speed maneuvering and large throttle openings shouldn't be used.

as an example - when land rover built the range rover, they used the same size diffs as the 4 cyl. Land Rover but made the car constant 4WD to prevent diffs breaking with the extra power of the V8.

If you've fitted larger than standard tyres, your car is overloaded, or you have engine problems, you need to fi this. You shoudln't need to use low on the road.

Steve.

[ben4386]

Thanks steve,
The car runs fine its just usefull for extremely steep hills either for more power going up or engine braking going down and I just wanted to make sure that its not causing any damage.

So apart from the extra load that I am putting on the rear diff and axles as long as I drive sensibly and smoothly there shouldnt be a problem?

[Gwagensteve]

Yeah, no problem if you drive sensibly and smoothly.

As an aside though, bear in mind that in 2wd Low you're only engine braking the rear wheels so compression locking the back wheels is quite possible.

Steve.

[alien]

compression locking the back wheels is standard in my zuk, low range, gearing down.... i just dont gear down on road if in low range... offroad its not so bad as the surface is loose and a little skid is ok... but on road i'd probably snap axles.

you say its a 4cyl with not much power - is it a sierra/vitara etc? perhaps hop over to the appropriate vehicle make's forum and see the bible in there about power issues...

[RockyF75]

Yikes


I've done the dump clutch thing in 2wd low, and compression lock up occasionally on tar (high range tho)

Just got a newfound respect for Rocky axles after reading the above.... and prolly won't do that sorta stuff anymore just in case

[macca81]

compression lockup isnt hard in the older diesels in high range... i used to engine brake in the MQ more than i would use the foot brake, get good at it and you can pull up at a set of lights from 110kph without your brake lights comming on... confused the hell outa a mate who was following me shift to early and the people behind you really start to wonder when you got smoke comming off your tires with no brakes



dumping clutch is fine offroad, but unless you have a truck based vehicle (rocky, old trols and cruisers etc), then you will do damage onroad...