MQ clunk and loss of 4WD

[slacker]

i went out for a 4wd on the beach last friday and after about 5k's for the first time my 4wd started clunking and then the front wheels stopped driving.

I would have to stop and then take off again for it to be in 4wd or stop and reverse a bit then forward to be in 4wd again. This became more frequent on the way back the car is 81 diesel with a 4spd.

I have asked a few people and have been told what it could be but i thought i would ask all of you if u have ever had anything like this happen or know of anyone who has had something like this happen to them.

The car does this in both high and low range and the lever doesn't jump out of gear. From what i have read and been told it's more likely something in the diff than the transfer.

the steering knuckles need an overhaul bad coz water gets in the diff housing and turns the oil to sludge, so my next question is it hard to pull off the knuckles and replace seals and bearings.????

thanks in advance

Sacha

[Rosey]

Is your drive shaft going into your front diff still turning when you loose drive to your front wheels? This will tell you if the problem is in your transfer case. Do you run auto locking hubs or manual...most likely manual(1981). I had a problem where the mechanic put the locking mechanism on my manual locking hubs back together a little wrong and I got no power to front wheels. Wheels bearing and seals aren't hard just a little time consuming if you haven't done it before. Much cheaper to rebuild yourself.

Hope this helps

cheers

[slacker]

i was going to get someone to look at the driveshaft next time i go off road. Since i have owned it, it has standard nissan manual hub lockers.

yeah ill get on to rebuilding the steering knuckles asap

[Screwy]

Bloke, the front diff wiper seals are really easy to do.
If u have never done it before and are unsure, allow an hour to and hour and a half per side to fully pull apart, clean, and rebiuld.
its stright forward. Refer to your nissan manuel to be sure.

screwy

[slacker]

yeah im not to worried about the rebuilding the knuckles, anyone know how much im looking at for seals and bearings, i have been told about 4 different prices, and i think i worked out my loss of 4wd problem

[Screwy]

the wiper seals are pretty dear.
The other seals come in the Wheel bearing kits and are well under $50 each from memory

screwy