Drive Problem!!

I have a problem with my 97 Range Rover 4.0 drive system. Each time I want to turn, the wheels kind of seize. This damages the Universal Joints, which I change atleast once a month. It only happens when the steering whell is turned, either going forward or backwards. Its like the front wheels want to go forward and the rear wheels in opposite direction. I have replaced both differentials to no avail. I hope somebody has experienced this before. I hate to sound stupid!. And please dont advice me to see a main dealer. There is none here in GAMBIA

This sounds like a very strange one!! does it have an auto box fitted if so maybe it is trying to select both forward and reverse at the same time or your diff lock could possibly be stuck in? If you jack up one wheel will it spin freely if it does then its not stuck in. other than that i havent got a clue
Good luck
Graham

Hi Graham! It does have an auto box. When I disable either the front or the rear propellers, the vehicle drives perfectly. Also remember that this problem only occurs when the steering wheel is turned to either side, like in a 3-point turn. Could it be my transfer box is messed up??

Hi There

This is most likely a seized Transfer Case.

To test jack up the front of the car and try and turn the wheel by hand. You should be able to turn it, but it should be very difficult.

When the transfer case seizes, you will notice the car does not want to turn, and it will sqeel when turning corners on hard surfaces.

John Fenn

could be a siezed diff lock

Hi John,

Thanks for your support. Do I need to jack both front or rear wheels, or just one wheel. Your description of my problem is spot-on!!

Regards

Syke

johnfenn said:

Hi There

This is most likely a seized Transfer Case.

To test jack up the front of the car and try and turn the wheel by hand. You should be able to turn it, but it should be very difficult.

When the transfer case seizes, you will notice the car does not want to turn, and it will sqeel when turning corners on hard surfaces.

John Fenn

Click to expand...

Good evening Syke.

I don't think you need to do anything. The chances that you are looking at a seized viscous coupling are about 100%. The P38 and the later classics have a viscous coupling to automatically lock the drive when in slippery ground. They lasy about 150,000km. Mine lasted 175000.

There is a short term fix and a "proper" fix.

Short term get under the car and remove the front drive shaft. You will not be able to remove the bolts from the transfer case and you will need to put about 3 washers on each of the bolts and then replace the nuts. This will keep the thing in balance. Be aware that you no longer have 4 wheel drive, and it will get bogged just like a regular car. Take heart in the fact that your fuel consumption will improve about 20%.

Long term you need to replace the tranfer case. You can just replace the viscous coupling, but if it has died the front and rear bearings in the transfer case are probably pretty much worn out by now anyway. Also the chain will have stretched and will soon need reploacing. Thats why it goes "clunk" when you suddenly take your foot off the gas.

I am going to do that this weekend. I have bought a second hand transfer case from a wreching yard. I shall change the transfer case this weekend and then I shall rebuild my old one as a spare. In Australia a rebuilt transfer case is $2500 and the second hand one cost me $1150. Parts to rebuild the old one will run about $500, so I figure I save about $500 and end up with 2 of them.

I shall let you know how I get on. This is the biggest job I have tried on this car, but I have been repairing my own cars for 40 years, so it should be OK.

Regards from York WA

John Fenn