Testing if 4WD is actually working

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Yeo said:
Morning all

This might seem a stupid question, but how do I check if 4 wheel drive is actually working when the yellow selector is down?

Completely new to land rovers (as you may have guessed!):eek:

Cheers

Adie
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Your only a few miles from me if you don't have any luck "pm" me, we'll see if I can pop over and have a look...
 
zzr1200 said:
Your only a few miles from me if you don't have any luck "pm" me, we'll see if I can pop over and have a look...
Click to expand...

I am at work today but hoping to get a look tonight once I get in. If I don't get any joy with the prop turning then I might take you up on that offer, but don't mind bringing it to you if that's easier?

Thanks all for the replies.

Adie
 
b20wnx said:
FWH engaged? I though you dis-engaged them when in 4wd
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zzr1200 said:
:rolleyes:....:doh:
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b20wnx said:
It was a genuine ? I thought only two positions on or off
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Sorry b20, I apologise, for those who have never driven/owned a series 1, 2 and 3. this covers most of them apart from some very very early 80 inch Series Models and V8 109's

A standard out of the factory series Land Rover does not have Free Wheeling Hubs (FWH) fitted to engage Four Wheel Drive (FWD), you just either move the HI/LO lever backwards into low ratio FWD (4x4) is automatically engaged, or for High Ratio FWD (4x4) you push the yellow knob down which engages High Ratio FWD to return to 2 wheel drive you simply move the HI/LO lever into Low Ratio then back into High Ratio, the yellow knob pops up into the 2x4 position.

I repeat Free Wheeling Hubs are not fitted, on a totally standard Series 1,2 or 3.

In a standard Series Land Rover as you drive along the front axle is either being driven by the transfer box when FWD is engaged or by the front wheels in contact with the road in 2 wheel drive.

Now in High Ratio 2 Wheel Drive (2x4) the front axle (half shafts, diff and front Propshaft) are being driven by the front wheels, when aftermarket optional FWH are fitted it allows the driver to disconnect the drive train in the front axle. It was always stated it helped to increase Mile Per Gallon figures, ie save money on fuel.

Which I never found to be true when I owned my series Land Rovers, thirsty buggers and it didn't matter which engine was fitted, possibly a bit different with a disco engine fitted these days.

So the Free Wheeling Hubs have to be engaged to reconnect the front axle drive train, move the hubs (FWH) from 2x4 to 4x4, now you use the transfer gearbox controls to control FWD.

hth
 
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Just caught up with this thread. I'd get the free wheeling hubs looked at before spending the cash. It may be a lack of use with the hubs freewheeling which has made it difficult to disengage the hubs therefore not allowing drive to the wheels
 
zzr1200 said:
Jack up one wheel, pull the HI/LO lever back into the Low Position, now turn the prop by hand, does it turn or is it locked in place with a bit of movement (1/2 Turn)???
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Ok, out of work early and tested with following result:

One front wheel up in air. Low ratio selected and in gear : Prop only move about half a turn then solid.

into Hi ratio and in gear prop spins by hand freely.

Am I right in saying that hubs are the issue?

Cheers all.

Adie
 
"One front wheel up in air. Low ratio selected and in gear : Prop only move about half a turn then solid." This is correct.

"into Hi ratio and in gear prop spins by hand freely." If this is high ratio 2 wheel drive, then this is also correct.

In other words there is nothing wrong with the hubs.
 
Yeo said:
Ok, out of work early and tested with following result:

One front wheel up in air. Low ratio selected and in gear : Prop only move about half a turn then solid.

into Hi ratio and in gear prop spins by hand freely.

Am I right in saying that hubs are the issue?

Cheers all.

Adie
Click to expand...

Hubs do not appear to be the issue.

That's correct so far, if the Low Ratio lever is pulled back and hubs are locked the wheel only turns a bit then locks (correct as it should be), in gear HI/LO lever pushed forward, transfer gearbox is in 2 wheel drive High Ratio, the 4x4 is disconnected in transfer gearbox front wheels, front axle drive train (half shafts, diff and front prop) will turn freely.

Leave vehicle in gear and Hi/LO lever forward, wheel lifted.

Now push the Yellow Knob down to compress the spring it should stay down, then retry turning the front wheel that is jacked up again it will probably rotate a bit then lock, you should be able to rock the wheel backward/forward to take the slack in the front axle drive train.

Then report back here.
 
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zzr1200 said:
Hubs do not appear to be the issue.

That's correct so far, if the Low Ratio lever is pulled back and hubs are locked the wheel only turns a bit then locks (correct as it should be), in gear HI/LO lever pushed forward, transfer gearbox is in 2 wheel drive High Ratio, the 4x4 is disconnected in transfer gearbox front wheels, front axle drive train (half shafts, diff and front prop) will turn freely.

Leave vehicle in gear and Hi/LO lever forward, wheel lifted.

Now push the Yellow Knob down to compress the spring it should stay down, then retry turning the front wheel that is jacked up again it will probably rotate a bit then lock, you should be able to rock the wheel backward/forward to take the slack in the front axle drive train.

Then report back here.
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Ahh, I was talking about the prop only moving half a turn, the road wheel freely rotated whatever was done with the gear selector.

cheers

Adie
 
Yeo said:
Ahh, I was talking about the prop only moving half a turn, the road wheel freely rotated whatever was done with the gear selector.

cheers

Adie
Click to expand...


When the Free Wheeling Hubs are engaged (connected to the drive train), with the Hi/Lo lever forward and the yellow knob is pushed down the vehicle is in High Ratio FWD.

Yeo, you must when returning to the tarmac road surface, move the HI/LO lever from the Hi position to the Lo position then but into the Hi position, this action dis-engages the Hi Ratio drive in the transfer gearbox and the yellow knob will pop up indicating this.

If the vehicle is driven for long periods on hard road surfaces the transfer gearbox is wound up internally and can/will cause damage.
 
zzr1200 said:
When the Free Wheeling Hubs are engaged (connected to the drive train), with the Hi/Lo lever forward and the yellow knob is pushed down the vehicle is in High Ratio FWD.

Yeo, you must when returning to the tarmac road surface, move the HI/LO lever from the Hi position to the Lo position then but into the Hi position, this action dis-engages the Hi Ratio drive in the transfer gearbox and the yellow knob will pop up indicating this.

If the vehicle is driven for long periods on hard road surfaces the transfer gearbox is wound up internally and can/will cause damage.
Click to expand...

I cant really think of a time when I would use the low ratio anyway so cant see me ever using it other than to disengage 4wd.... unless I find somewhere local to play :)

So do you think its the hubs then? I am more confident now that I know the prop locks when 4wd selected.

cheers

Adie
 
Yeo said:
I cant really think of a time when I would use the low ratio anyway so cant see me ever using it other than to disengage 4wd.... unless I find somewhere local to play :)

So do you think its the hubs then? I am more confident now that I know the prop locks when 4wd selected.

cheers

Adie
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound like you have a problem at all.

Are you expecting the front wheel to be rock solid without any rotational movement when in FWD???
 
Yeo said:
I cant really think of a time when I would use the low ratio anyway so cant see me ever using it other than to disengage 4wd.... unless I find somewhere local to play :)

So do you think its the hubs then? I am more confident now that I know the prop locks when 4wd selected.

cheers

Adie
Click to expand...

if prop locks in low and in high if yellow knobs depressed then gear box is working as it should , but with one wheel up with box in low with prop locked and wheel still spins your fwh are in freewheel and you wont get 4wd
 
jamesmartin said:
if prop locks in low and in high if yellow knobs depressed then gear box is working as it should , but with one wheel up with box in low with prop locked and wheel still spins your fwh are in freewheel and you wont get 4wd
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This is true it really depends if Yeo is turning the propshaft by hand or he is turning the wheel during the test..

Yeo, please confirm what way you tested it turning the wheel or the prop???
 
zzr1200 said:
This is true it really depends if Yeo is turning the propshaft by hand or he is turning the wheel during the test..

Yeo, please confirm what way you tested it turning the wheel or the prop???
Click to expand...

Hi guys

To confirm...

turning the wheel had zero effect on the prop shaft in any configuration of gear selection either 2wd or 4wd.

In 2wd the propshaft could be fully rotated by hand, in 4wd I get about half a turn.

cheers

adie
 
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