Questions about 4 wheel Drive

[imgray]

I just got a mint condition 97 Sidekick Sport. It has all options except automatic hubs and only 60,000 miles on it, zero rust, paint still looks new,etc...

If I lock the hubs and put it in 4WD I get no assist from the front wheels. is it as simple as my hubs are worn out and need replacing or failure of 4WD means the transfer case is destroyed? I checked and they are locked, the 4WD light does come on when I engage the transfer case to 4-HI and 4-LO. I like to leave the hubs in FREE all the time so gas mileage is steady at the 29mpg I have been getting.

I have heard that the sidekicks need new hubs like some cars need new rotors on their brakes every 10,000 miles, if that is true I can change the hubs easily (should I get WARN or are superwinch good enough? I really like the look of the aluminum superwinches compared to the stock looking WARN brand.

Is this a common failure on the sidekicks? or am I hosed.

[Bear95]

Jack the front end up and lock the hubs. If the axel turns, the the locking hub is working. If it does not then the locking hub is bad. I take mine apart every 10,000 and clean and check them.
Bear

[lord_galathon]

10.000 miles between hub failures would be sign of neglect or poor driving. Both my Zukis have their original hubs and are at 150.000km and 190.000km.

Do the test Bear95 suggests, that will be the first indication. however make sure of the following:

1-When you lock the hubs, make sure the wheels are straight, same thing applies to the shifting to 4WD, also when shifting to 4WD make sure you're driving under 60mph. I prefer to do it stopped.

2-Sometimes you need to back up a bit for them to engage properly but I've only seen that one ONE Zuki.

Good luck.

[Bear95]

I check mine @ the 10,000 mark because that is about how many miles that I drive my tracker in a year. I check and clean in the fall so that I am ready for my trips to the ski area. I lock my hubs once a month and run 4wheel high & low to lube up the front diff and axels. I am a bit of a preventive main. nut, but I would rather spend a little time and grease once a year than be stuck because a hub would not lock.
Bear

[94box]

they do require periodic cleaning and repacking, i had manual locking hubs but switched them to auto, nevertheless you can do the following to check to see if they work, with the transfer case in 2wd mode, lock the front hubs, then move the vehicle forward or backward, get someone to see if the front propeller shaft/drive shafts are rotating, if they are then you know the hubs are locked, if they do not rotate then the hubs are not working, i can send you a pic on how to repack/service manual hubs,

hope this helps,

94box.