4wd Drive issue !
Discussion
Hi all ,
Hoping for some pointers . Recently purchased a 04 plate Suzuki Grand Vitara xl-7 . It's covered 54k good history and appears to be well looked after. It's a 2.7v6 petrol manual with a manual transfer box selector.
When in 2 wheel drive the car is fine although clutch is a little sharp ! When 4H or 4L is selected the car seems to lock up at 2/3 mph. Dipping the clutch has no effect at this point and won't coast . But drives ok once up and moving.
Can anyone suggest what's wrong ? Transfer box ? Drive shaft ?
Thanks for your help.
Hoping for some pointers . Recently purchased a 04 plate Suzuki Grand Vitara xl-7 . It's covered 54k good history and appears to be well looked after. It's a 2.7v6 petrol manual with a manual transfer box selector.
When in 2 wheel drive the car is fine although clutch is a little sharp ! When 4H or 4L is selected the car seems to lock up at 2/3 mph. Dipping the clutch has no effect at this point and won't coast . But drives ok once up and moving.
Can anyone suggest what's wrong ? Transfer box ? Drive shaft ?
Thanks for your help.
[quote=SlimJim16v]Don't understand this bit "But drives ok once up and moving.". Is that still in 4wd or have you got it back to 2wd?
selexting 2wd then 4wd and some revs will allow it to drive . Once pulled away drives ok at normal road speeds . I'm equally confused although not knowing one end from a spanner to another probs doesn't help . .
Thanks
selexting 2wd then 4wd and some revs will allow it to drive . Once pulled away drives ok at normal road speeds . I'm equally confused although not knowing one end from a spanner to another probs doesn't help . .
Thanks
You need to find out if it has a centre diff or viscous coupling, if so then you might have a problem if not and its just a part time 4x4 system then if you engage it on hard surfaces IE normal roads it will 'wind up" after a short distance even a few yards if the tyres aren't perfecty matched!!!, hence some syystems use a diff, or viscous coupling in the transfer box to allow the two propshafts to run at slightly different speeds and run in 4x4 in all conditions a part time system should only be used when traction is low like mud or snow.. hope that helps....
This from http://www.dixonarchive.com/grandvitara/faq.htm might be of interest in view of the age of your vehicle:
"When should 4wd be engaged
I have had many messages telling me of problems with the 4wd system. Since it is clear that in all situations 4wd system has been engaged incorrectly I have decided to write this section.
The PRE-September 2005 Grand Vitara's 4wd system uses the traditional part time arrangement where the driver decides when the 4wd system should be used. The 4wd system on the Grand Vitara is not complicated and is very reliable when used appropriately.
These SGV's 4wd system should not be used on normal roads. If you want 4wd on normal roads or more appropriately All Wheel Drive (AWD) you should consider another car. AWD Subaru's and the Toyota RAV4 are good examples. However they do lack low range gearing.
The difference between the Grand Vitara's system and these other ones is quite simple, newer 4WD systems have a computer and a centre differential controlling the power being sent to each wheel the SGV doesn't. Note that in most normal road driving these AWD are using only 2 driving wheels anyway- or more. Since the SGV does not have a centre diff or computer - power is being sent to all 4 wheels with grip hence causing damage to the hardware if 4WD is used on a normal road.
4WD modes should only be used in situations where there the surface of the road is loose - namely dirt or gravel roads. Once the roads are back to normal it should be turned off."
Even vehicles with permanent 4 wheel drive - I have a 1986 RRC - are not intended to be driven on good surfaces with the centre differential locked. This will cause the transmission to windup & has the potential to cause damage to the drive train. It can be felt through the steering & can cause the handling to feel a bit odd. Can be unwound by selecting the unlocked position & reversing for a few yards. Not an issue on loose or slippery surfaces. Covered in detail in the RRC owner's handbook'
Later ones have a viscous coupling which locks & unlocks by itself - when these fail it's usually locked & the tyres will scrub & chirrup when the steering is hard over.
I suspect you are new to 4x4 & I'd suggest you find & download an owners manual, look on you-tube for a 'how to' or ask the question on a Suzuki forum.
"When should 4wd be engaged
I have had many messages telling me of problems with the 4wd system. Since it is clear that in all situations 4wd system has been engaged incorrectly I have decided to write this section.
The PRE-September 2005 Grand Vitara's 4wd system uses the traditional part time arrangement where the driver decides when the 4wd system should be used. The 4wd system on the Grand Vitara is not complicated and is very reliable when used appropriately.
These SGV's 4wd system should not be used on normal roads. If you want 4wd on normal roads or more appropriately All Wheel Drive (AWD) you should consider another car. AWD Subaru's and the Toyota RAV4 are good examples. However they do lack low range gearing.
The difference between the Grand Vitara's system and these other ones is quite simple, newer 4WD systems have a computer and a centre differential controlling the power being sent to each wheel the SGV doesn't. Note that in most normal road driving these AWD are using only 2 driving wheels anyway- or more. Since the SGV does not have a centre diff or computer - power is being sent to all 4 wheels with grip hence causing damage to the hardware if 4WD is used on a normal road.
4WD modes should only be used in situations where there the surface of the road is loose - namely dirt or gravel roads. Once the roads are back to normal it should be turned off."
Even vehicles with permanent 4 wheel drive - I have a 1986 RRC - are not intended to be driven on good surfaces with the centre differential locked. This will cause the transmission to windup & has the potential to cause damage to the drive train. It can be felt through the steering & can cause the handling to feel a bit odd. Can be unwound by selecting the unlocked position & reversing for a few yards. Not an issue on loose or slippery surfaces. Covered in detail in the RRC owner's handbook'
Later ones have a viscous coupling which locks & unlocks by itself - when these fail it's usually locked & the tyres will scrub & chirrup when the steering is hard over.
I suspect you are new to 4x4 & I'd suggest you find & download an owners manual, look on you-tube for a 'how to' or ask the question on a Suzuki forum.
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 9th December 09:27
HI,
Finally got around to getting the owners book out , only to find its for a 2005 1.6 or 2.0td with a dash mounted switch. I have a 2.7v6 Manual with a gear shift transfer box selector ! I am guessing this later version has a completely different 4wd system.
I have tried finding an owners manual on line but cant find one for the correct set up .
so bottom line I still dont know whether there's an issue with the car or just ignorant user error .
HELLLPPPP PLEASE !!!!
Finally got around to getting the owners book out , only to find its for a 2005 1.6 or 2.0td with a dash mounted switch. I have a 2.7v6 Manual with a gear shift transfer box selector ! I am guessing this later version has a completely different 4wd system.
I have tried finding an owners manual on line but cant find one for the correct set up .
so bottom line I still dont know whether there's an issue with the car or just ignorant user error .
HELLLPPPP PLEASE !!!!
The link tells you the earlier ones have a different system so no guessing about it.
Try Suzuki for a handbook. You might have to pay for one.
http://www.suzuki.co.uk/cars/owners/my-useful-info...
Try a Suzuki owners club. You might have to join.
http://www.suzuki4x4club.com/
Sounds like you need someone who knows their way round one to have a look at it. If you can't find someone local that may finish up as a Suzuki dealer.
What has the seller told you?
As said earlier DO NOT drive it on a sound surface with 4wd either L or H engaged. It should only be engaged just before it's required & disengaged straight after.
Try Suzuki for a handbook. You might have to pay for one.
http://www.suzuki.co.uk/cars/owners/my-useful-info...
Try a Suzuki owners club. You might have to join.
http://www.suzuki4x4club.com/
Sounds like you need someone who knows their way round one to have a look at it. If you can't find someone local that may finish up as a Suzuki dealer.
What has the seller told you?
As said earlier DO NOT drive it on a sound surface with 4wd either L or H engaged. It should only be engaged just before it's required & disengaged straight after.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 13th December 21:21
LMMAC said:
HI,
Finally got around to getting the owners book out , only to find its for a 2005 1.6 or 2.0td with a dash mounted switch. I have a 2.7v6 Manual with a gear shift transfer box selector ! I am guessing this later version has a completely different 4wd system.
I have tried finding an owners manual on line but cant find one for the correct set up .
so bottom line I still dont know whether there's an issue with the car or just ignorant user error .
HELLLPPPP PLEASE !!!!
I think we have given you the answer!!! its a part time 4x4 system it will wind up and go all bound up and not come out of 4x4 easly if you engage it on a grippy surface esp if some of your tyres are mismatched by wear or odd makes.... Finally got around to getting the owners book out , only to find its for a 2005 1.6 or 2.0td with a dash mounted switch. I have a 2.7v6 Manual with a gear shift transfer box selector ! I am guessing this later version has a completely different 4wd system.
I have tried finding an owners manual on line but cant find one for the correct set up .
so bottom line I still dont know whether there's an issue with the car or just ignorant user error .
HELLLPPPP PLEASE !!!!
I would try the 4x4 on a muddy track or in a field,
A couple of manuals on ebay ATM. You would need to check with the seller to confirm they are correct.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GRAND-VITARA-OWNE...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GRAND-VITARA-OWNE...
Or see if there is a 4x4 club or offroading site nearby. Chances are you'll find someone who knows about them & can give it a test drive.
Just to give you an idea of the forces at work, not unusual in heavy offroading with Land Rovers to snap axle halfshafts. These transmit the drive from the axle diff to the wheels & are solid steel rods twisted to destruction. CV joints & diffs can break. If you wind up a transmission & then jack a wheel up DO NOT have anything in contact with the wheel or a wheel brace on any of the nuts as it will kick violently as soon as it's off the ground as it unwinds.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GRAND-VITARA-OWNE...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GRAND-VITARA-OWNE...
Or see if there is a 4x4 club or offroading site nearby. Chances are you'll find someone who knows about them & can give it a test drive.
Just to give you an idea of the forces at work, not unusual in heavy offroading with Land Rovers to snap axle halfshafts. These transmit the drive from the axle diff to the wheels & are solid steel rods twisted to destruction. CV joints & diffs can break. If you wind up a transmission & then jack a wheel up DO NOT have anything in contact with the wheel or a wheel brace on any of the nuts as it will kick violently as soon as it's off the ground as it unwinds.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 13th December 21:22
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff