|
Indo_G
Member
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Vehicle(s): '96 W463 300GE OM606 722.6 conversion
Posts: 42
| Stuck when switching from 2wd to 4wd
I experienced a weird situation yesterday while testing the 4wd capability. I was running in the 4wd mode for a while and right before parking my car I returned it to 2wd mode. Somehow the car wouldn't move forward.
There was a grinding noise coming from the axle when moving forward slowly as if something was stuck in the differentials or front axles? Anyhow, I managed to move the car within few feets and left it for the night. The next day, the car drove normally and the gear shifted just fine. It happenned 2 days ago and I'm worried that this might repeat again in the future. Mine is '84 280 GE SWB with 4 spd manual. Please share your thoughts if you have experienced this before.
Chris
|
|
| |
|
Tjærand
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2006
Location: Nøtterøy, Norway
Vehicle(s): 1996 G320
Posts: 403
| RE: Stuck when switching from 2wd to 4wd
Did you run it in 4WD on a solid surface like asphalt or concrete? If so, you might have wound up your driveline. If you park the car on loose gravel or sand it might slowly unwind itself.
Did you have any problems moving the gear shift? If the linkage is loose you might shift it into 2 gears at once and lock the gearbox. |
|
| |
|
4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: Stuck when switching from 2wd to 4wd
Its not only the drive line that you "wind up" - the stress build up creates tension on any and all parts between the tire and the transfer case. Eventually the weakest part will break. But that does not mean that the other parts did not suffer as well - only they did not break (yet).
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/driveline-bind.html
On the 460 the accumulated stress keeps you from successfully shifting back from 4WD to 2WD. Time and/or releasing the stress by lifting one wheel off the ground will allow the shifter to engage 2WD.
Looks like you had the time factor on your side. The grinding sound seemed to be the teeth inside the transfer case "biting each other" on the edges - kind of an unwanted neutral setting with grinding gears. Not healthy. |
|
| |
|
Dr. Rob
Veteran
Date registered: Nov 2006
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Vehicle(s): 280GE LWB, 280E Ambulance
Posts: 216
| Re: Stuck when switching from 2wd to 4wd
Yep. I've run into that in the past as well, but only when in the lower gears of the auto trans and going from 4-hi to 4-lo, or 2 to 4. It just absolutely refuses to engage. No grinding though.
It didn't take me long to figure out that it had to do with gear ratios and meshing, so I just got out and pushed the car a foot or two; enough for the gears to come 'round and into synch. No problem. But that might not be so easy next time.
This driveline wind-up syndrome sounds scary. I don't like the sound o' that.
. |
|
| |
|
Indo_G
Member
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Vehicle(s): '96 W463 300GE OM606 722.6 conversion
Posts: 42
| Grinding noise from transfer case
Hi guys.
I was testing my 4x4 capability with no issue at all and was running on 4wd mode all the time. Once at home, I switched back to 2wd before parking it. What happened was, there was a grinding noise coming from the axle or transfer case (not sure....??)and the car seemed to be stuck (don't move unless you force to hit the pedal).I pushed hard the car to my garage for a few feet, otherwise it'd block my garage access.
The next day, I checked on the car and didn't find any sign of broken parts and surprisingly the car drove normally. It shifted fine, but I haven't tried to run on 4wd since then (can't imagine the danger if this happened on freeway). I'd definately need some guidances on this issue. Thanks
Chris |
|
| |
|
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Grinding noise from transfer case
Indo_G - 3/30/2007 6:21 AM
Hi guys.
I was testing my 4x4 capability with no issue at all and was running on 4wd mode all the time. Once at home, I switched back to 2wd before parking it. What happened was, there was a grinding noise coming from the axle or transfer case (not sure....??)and the car seemed to be stuck (don't move unless you force to hit the pedal).I pushed hard the car to my garage for a few feet, otherwise it'd block my garage access.
The next day, I checked on the car and didn't find any sign of broken parts and surprisingly the car drove normally. It shifted fine, but I haven't tried to run on 4wd since then (can't imagine the danger if this happened on freeway). I'd definately need some guidances on this issue. Thanks
Chris
If you were running in 4WD on pavement for any length of time, your TC may be dead meat. 4WD is for use off road, not on pavement.
The first thing I would do is to drain the TC and check out the magnet on the drain plug as well as the drained fluid for metallic particles. That should give you a clue as to the amount of damage, if any. |
|
| |
|
4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: Grinding noise from transfer case
Chris,
why a new thread?
Did you forget that you posted this already?
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=6719&pos... |
|
| |
|
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: Grinding noise from transfer case
|
|
| |
|
Indo_G
Member
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Vehicle(s): '96 W463 300GE OM606 722.6 conversion
Posts: 42
| RE: Grinding noise from transfer case
"why a new thread?
Did you forget that you posted this already?"
Good questions.. I wonder how that happened?
Anyway, I'll have my mechanic to check on it and let's see what's wrong. I'll bring up your feedbacks to him and once again, thanks for the input.
Chris
|
|
| |
|
id_gwagen
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Grinding noise from transfer case
Indo_G - 3/29/2007 5:21 PM
Hi guys.
I was testing my 4x4 capability with no issue at all and was running on 4wd mode all the time. Once at home, I switched back to 2wd before parking it. What happened was, there was a grinding noise coming from the axle or transfer case (not sure....??)and the car seemed to be stuck (don't move unless you force to hit the pedal).I pushed hard the car to my garage for a few feet, otherwise it'd block my garage access.
The next day, I checked on the car and didn't find any sign of broken parts and surprisingly the car drove normally. It shifted fine, but I haven't tried to run on 4wd since then (can't imagine the danger if this happened on freeway). I'd definately need some guidances on this issue. Thanks
Chris
Chris.
You should never ever drive on the pavement with 4WD/SA/GA (locking the TC), at least with the 460. I've learned that from this forum way back when I was searching for a G. In any case, when I was searching for the G I found too many cases where (especially here in Indonesia):
- The front axle propshaft was removed, then the TC lever is still on 2WD.
- The owner conveniently switch from 2WD to 4WD when doing a test drive with me trying to prove that the 4x4 system still worked, on the pavement.
- Engaging the diff lock(s) (also on the pavement).
I got my 84 280ge lwb with the front propshaft removed but the TC lever on 4wd (SA), which was good. But it was still a big gamble as to the condition of the transfer case. fortunately, today everything still in one piece, no broken parts. When asked why the propshaft was removed, I kept getting the same answer, to reduce the drivetrain load and save fuel, which needless to say the reason is lame and ridiculous, unless there's a problem with the propshaft or front axle which would cause drag in the drivetrain.
One more thing, the G first came to Indonesia in 1984, on the SWB case, I have yet to see one with any diff lock on it. It seems like they took out that option for the swb, except for those wonderful Cabrio swb G300s used by the military police who escort the president/VP along with 'damn, I want one of those' military version lwb 290GDs. Do you have diff lock(s) on your G? just wondering.
Chairil.
|
|
| |
