4X4 - How do you know?

[dgammon]

I hear a lot of disucussion from people saying their hubs aren't working, or their 4X4 is not engaging. My question is this:
How can you tell if your 4X4 is working?
Do you have to put it on blocks and see if the wheels turn, or what?

 

[BExplorer]

How

You can ear and feel the difference buy the motor, it's working arder to drive the 4 wheel as opposed to 2. The andeling should be a bit different, and if you make sharp turn on a non slip surface the front end should wiggle and you would feel the grab of the front tire on the road. I dont know for 95, but on my 94 I did a simple test. Jack both front wheels (lock hub if manual type) and hand turn the front shaft (the one from the transfer case to front) then the wheels should turn if your hubs are working. Hope this help

 

[dgammon]

Yeah but...

OK, it's a 95 4WD Auto with automatic hubs. I understand the 4WD Auto only kicks in when you need it, so would I need to be sliding around to know it's not working?

 

[FlyAU]

Re: Yeah but...

Originally posted by dgammon
OK, it's a 95 4WD Auto with automatic hubs. I understand the 4WD Auto only kicks in when you need it, so would I need to be sliding around to know it's not working?

Your selector knob should have three settings: 4 AUTO, 4 HI, 4 LO. Take it on a dirt/gravel road (something loose) and turn it to 4 HI. You should notice a difference in handling...

 

[Stephen]

Nope his 95 Selector says 2WD 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOW.

Here's what you do, next time it snows go to a empty parking lot, and run around it in 4WD AUTO. Then try and do it in 2WD. You'll be able to tell.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Try this:

On a slippery surface, try to turn to either the left or the right , as if you're turning in an intersection, while gunning it in 4WD Auto. If you don't spin out and feel the front wheel is kicking in, then the 4WD system is working. Do this when the car the dead-stop, of course. If I'm wrong, please correct me. Hope this helps.

 

[jimbo74]

jack up rear-lift one wheel-put in 4x4-put in drive-get out to see if all wheels not on ground are spinning-WARNING do not do if you have a front traction aid