ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: hcgalvin on May 28, 2011, 09:05:37 PM
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Hi guys,
So we've been playing around with this 2001 GV for a little bit, but I have seen some interesting behavior with it, and was wondering if it was normal. I don't remember any of this with my Sidekick back when it was stock (ish).
So, with the stock 4wd system, on dry pavement, starting off in a straight line just after having shifted into 4HI - there's enough friction/bind when you coast to keep you from having to use the brakes. Is this normal on these things?
Also, it seems that when you shift out of 4wd, it takes a trip in reverse to completely disengage the front.
We installed AISIN manual hubs today, which seem to be working properly, however, when locked and shifted into 4HI have the same issues. Including after having manually unlocked the hubs, still needing to go into reverse for a little bit to disengage the front.
Any ideas? Have I been so far cut off from the real world that I forgot how this stuff works? :-[ Our Dodge 3500 doesn't do this. :angel:
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That doesn't sound right.
An '01 GV has a distinctly different approach to the pre 99 models in that it uses a pneumatic freewheel clutch in the front differential rather than freewheeling hubs, along with a syncho hub in the transfer case, allowing for "shift-on-the-fly", or the selection of 2HI/4HI without stopping, at speeds of up to 60mph, provided you're traveliing in a straight line (you still need to stop to shift between 4HI/N/4LO)
In my experience (I have a 98 GV, which is the same setup), the additional drag on dry pavement in a straight line isn't noticeable, and shifting out of 4WD results in a near immediate drop out of the freewheel clutch - no reversing required.
I'm guessing you have something binding in the front differential - however - I can also think of two other possible causes, I don't expect the first one to apply in your case, but I'll mention it anyway ...
- are all four tires the same size?
- is there any chance that a previous owner swapped either axle so that the final drive ratios no longer match?
Edit.
On second thoughts - you mention having to back up to disengage the front even after unlocking the AISIN freewheeling hubs assuming that the hubs are disengaging, the front wheels are disconnected from the axles - maybe the transfer case has an issue.
Either way - it's not normal.
Edit - spelling
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yeah, ditto, not normal...
I certainly am not going to pretend to know as much as fordem about the subject, but I can say that my 99 Vitara does not act that way. I have no trouble shifting out of 2 wheel drive, and 4 hi on the fly, up to speeds of at least 30-40 km/h in my experience. No reversing necessary. Only exception is shifting into 4-low, which I put in park to do so (whether necessary or not).
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I was changing the oil & filter on my GV today - when I was finished I put it in neutral, 4HI and switched the ignition on (which is enough to get the freewheel clutch to engage) and the pushed it down the driveway with one hand - mind you, the driveway does have a slight slope to it, but only about 1:100 - like I say any additional drag is not noticeable.
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I agree. My '98 GV V6 behaves like Fordem's. My guess is a problem in the TC - probably the chain is on the way out.
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Hmm... well, all the noise we hear when it's bound up like this does not sound like it's coming from the tcase - and I wouldn't think the previous owner would have had cause to have a differential changed out... but it sounds like I'm going to have to do the old manual way of checking with the mark on the drive line and spinning a tire.
It is odd, it's definitely got too much bind in the drive train.
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Well, FWIW, we figured it out. It was very simple.
The tires aren't the same size. How silly can you be. They are the same model, the same branding, and it even took a double take a couple nights ago for me to realize they aren't the same. It's got 2 225/60x16's, and 2 235/60x16's. :-[
Well, at least that clears THAT up.
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- are all four tires the same size?
;)
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my 2001 vitara has always needed reverse to get out of 4x4 ive had it for 6 years.
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If your 2001 Vitara is an SQ420 (I'm assuming it's the 2.0 in your signature), then it's not working the way it should - I'm not doubting that it's happening, but that doesn't mean it's right - SQ series Vitaras/Grand Vitaras should switch from 2HI to 4HI whilst moving forward - and you'll find that in your owner's manual.
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I'm just wondering if the pneumatic clutch was disabled when the manual hubs and the XL7 front were fitted. If it is permanently engaged, the drivetrain may remain torque-loaded until drive direction is reversed. It is possible that a torque-loaded 2nd Gen.TC would not undog from 4WD.
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Interesting point Ian - I didn't notice that string of modifications - the XL-7 - depending on the year - used two different pneumatic free wheel clutch setups, the early models were very similar to the GV (they were essentially a stretched GV).
It makes me wonder though - your "modified" GV operates differently to what has been stated as "the way it should" - wouldn't you consider that to be as a possible result of the modifications?
Manual hubs have been fitted - the pneumatic free wheel may or may not have been disabled.
One think I can say with some certaintity is that the pneumatic freewheel clutch, once it depressurizes, it will disengage, dropping you back into 2WD.
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If your 2001 Vitara is an SQ420 (I'm assuming it's the 2.0 in your signature), then it's not working the way it should - I'm not doubting that it's happening, but that doesn't mean it's right - SQ series Vitaras/Grand Vitaras should switch from 2HI to 4HI whilst moving forward - and you'll find that in your owner's manual.
Yes i know it's supposed to but just never has and ive only had the xl7 diff for a year or so. Its not the vehicle i know like that my buddy's nissan frontier needs reverse and i remember a another guys jeep cherokee that needed it as well.