diff problems? no drive

[mattj07]

Hi all,
I have a problem with my 1993 vitara, there is no drive to the front wheels. I've jacked it up and the propshaft is turning as is the passenger side driveshaft but the drivers side isnt moving. Both front wheels are locked but dont move. Could this be a combination of diff and hub problems or is it more likely the diff.
Any help would be great Many Thanks

[jtgh]

this is way simple.

if the left and right prop shafts turn and the wheel dont the lockers are bad/or dirty.
what tranny , you for got to say.

what type of locking hubs? manual or autos.?

if manuals. , dial them to locked.
go to 4wd at xfr case lever.

now jack a wheel front, it must not spin. (engine stopped, turn wheel by hand)
repeat other side. same. (one side at a time)

tell us what car you have.
tranny ,hub locking options,

[mattj07]

Hi, as i said the passenger side shaft turns but the drivers side doesn't. Both wheels are not spinning. I didn't check whether the wheels turned by hand when locked and in 4wd.
It's a 1.6 16v JLK 1993 Vitara, manual locking hubs and i have no idea what tranny it is. I would say standard but im sure that wont help!
Many Thanks

[jtgh]

Originally Posted by mattj07

Hi, as i said the passenger side shaft turns but the drivers side doesn't. LOCKED ?

Both wheels are not spinning. (when , under power or off ground?
I didn't check whether the wheels turned by hand when locked and in 4wd.
why?not?
It's a 1.6 16v JLK 1993 Vitara, WHAT TRANNYmanual locking hubs and i have no idea what tranny it is. I would say standard but im sure that wont help!
Many Thanks

you need to test the locking hubs, to see if they in-fact lock up?

do you have after market: axle mod's
welded up spider gears.
mini spools. ?? others.?
or some a vacuum spool locker, with valve.
here is just a touch of what can be....
mini spool in kick rear axle

tell us what your really have.

gear spool locker test.:
jack up car on one side , left.
other side down.
5sp and xfr case in neutral. (allowing prop shaft rear to spin free)
now
spin left rear tire. , if it don't spin, you have a locked spool.
if it does spin, you will see rear prop shaft spin free. (open diff) or diff unlocked, as the case may be.

now on the front end. (manual lockers set to locked up dial position)
Transfer case in neutral (prop shaft free to spin)

spin left wheel.
if left wheel spins freely and so does prop shaft all is well.
if left wheel will not spin, then front axle has spool locker of some kind.
if left wheel spins and prop shaft don't the hub locker is bad.


Next test: ( locking hubs,locked, xfr case in neutral)
The other right front can be tested with left wheel on ground and then right raised. (rear dont care)
repeat the spin test as shown above , expect same results.

last test:
(if you have spool locks,then raise whole front end of car off ground)
to really test the fronts. it is best to do a no load spin test per (above all passes)

5sp in 1st gear, 4wd in 4H. (we are now working against stalled engine)
left 1 front wheel up , and spin tire. the tire must not spin now, due to front prop shaft now being locked to the engine, and it is stopped.
same for other front wheel , dropping left to ground and raising right.


this convoluted test is because I really dont know what you have.
so got do each and every step. to discover the truth.

hope that helps.


if any of the hubs fail they might come back to working if you do the full maintenace procedure on them
clean and lube.
look for broken parts, rusted out springs, or missing damaged o-rings that allowed water to enter.
we get vast numbers of hublock failures here. All due to lack of axle hub and bearing maintenance.
15,000 mile checks are on the schedule. These bearing hold little grease and need frequent checks.


Please advise , ?
tranny type?
and if auto or locking hub types.? ( if auto locking hubs, I can not help you. other then clean , inspect and lube them. and cross fingers)

cheers.