HELP -ADVICE-AND SOME CONTACTS NEEDED VIT 91 NO 4WD

[smortaus]

DESPERATE - HELP -ADVICE-AND SOME CONTACTS NEEDED VIT 91 NO 4WD

Good day all,
I am after some technical info on a problem I have with my 91 Vitara - 1.6 EFI , 5 door wagon.

I have lost four wheel drive - in other words front diff ain't turning the wheels on the front diff.

The transfer case - seems smooth and engages LOW/HIGH and 2WD and is free and willing to swap the the ranges with out any resistance or grinding.

Not being the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to this type of thing I tend to think that the transfer case may be OK, however after saying this - when LOW or HIGH is engaged - there is a wining noise coming form the front of the car.

This wining noise - doesn't happen when in 2WD with the hub locked... only when I put it in LOW or HIGH.

So I tend tend to think its a more of a front dive line issue rather then a Transfer case.

I would appreciate any information and if possible - a mechanic that people have used and trust.

I don't mind paying - but what I am after is a mechanic that knows his/her stuff and don't have to take the car back - because they picked the fault wrong.

So thanks for taking the time to read this and again any contacts and advice would be greatly appreciated ...

regards
Danny
0425 216732
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[nicbeer]

u got the manual or automatic front hubs?

if it is automatic ones then u may have a vacume/air leak.

[Gwagensteve]

Nic, I don't think there was any vacuum/air on the vitara auto hubs, this system was only introduced in the GV with a sliding axle collar and no hubs and the Jimny with vacuum/magnetic hubs. (both of which are troublesome)

Smortaus -

Get a friend to help you with this. Leave the transfer in 2wd. Lock the front hubs. Drive forwards and backwards in a carpark or something. If the hubs are working, both axleshafts between the wheels and the front diff should turn.

OR

lock the hubs with the transfer in 2WD. Jack up ONE front wheel. try and turn it. It should turn and so should the front driveshaft between the front diff and the gearbox. Check this with both wheels.

or

Put the transfer in 4WD and repeat the process. If both hubs are locking in, neither wheel should turn.

IF

the wheel turns, the but the axleshaft doesn't turn, the locking hub isn't working. If the wheel turns, the axleshaft turns but the opposite axleshaft turns in the other direction, the hub on the other side isn't locking in

If the transfer is in 4WD, the front driveshaft shouldn't turn at all if both rear wheels are on the ground, the gearbox is in gear, or the handbrake is on.

My guess is that one front hub isn't engaging. This is a common problem, can be fixed with some allen keys, solvent and grease in about 10 minutes.

Hope this helps (and doesn't confuse you too much)

Steve.