4WD Problems

vinman18 · 02-28-2009, 01:57 PM

Hello, It snowed a little bit last night, and I decided to take my 1998 sidekick sport out in the snow. I noticed that the 4wd wasnt working. I double checked the hubs to make sure they were locked in, and i tried 4 high and 4 low, and neither of them worked. so i jacked it up, locked in the hubs, put it in 4wd and got out and looked and, the front drive shaft to the front wheels was spinning but the wheels wernt. So would that be a hub problem or did i strip somthing out in the front. Any help would be great.

Thanks

jtgh · 02-28-2009, 05:31 PM

it's a 7500 mile maintenace click item. in FSM and op guide of glove box.

clean, inspect and lube them and they will work almost for ever.

i have this link on my front axle bearing and hub page

Manual Hub Clutch Assembly

nothing like it or better.

both most work ,to get drive.

vinman18 · 02-28-2009, 05:49 PM

So your saying if i do this they will work again.

jtgh · 02-28-2009, 10:19 PM

no,
if it passes the inspection , yes it will work again.
it's just a lock.

if when after removing it.
the unit isnt full of iron oxide instead of lock parts and springs.
then it may work. there are 2 gaskets, many are missing this due to poor service
the results is full of water and distruction.

look at the set of photos, if it looks exaclty like that after cleaning it,
then it will work.
that is what the inspection is for, looking to see if the unit is servicable.
grease looks ok.
no rust
no broken springs.
no broken off dogs.

the only hit is ,to not remove the spring as it can be hard to put back.
I just hot tank it and lube it.
no hot tank then bucket full of paint thinner (hi flash point and safe) parts cleaning
brush, scurb a dub dud dub, all spic&span , light lube and bingo.

new warns I here are $138
google suzuki sidekick warn hubs.

cheers

vinman18 · 03-01-2009, 12:24 AM

Alright ill do that when it warms up a little. I may just end up getting new ones because there getting to the point where i can only turn them with pliers.
Thanks a lot for your help.

jtgh · 03-01-2009, 12:31 AM

there filthy inside,

jtgh · 03-01-2009, 01:47 PM

or the lack or spliting of internal o-ring and gasket, that no one inpects or replaces when bad.

vinman18 · 03-01-2009, 04:23 PM

Alright, today I put a electric heater on it for about a half hour thinking they might be frozen, and now they work great. So when it warms up, I will take it apart, clean it, and inspect it. Thanks for your help.

jtgh · 03-01-2009, 06:41 PM

winter repairs , are a pain.

i check my hubs ever Summer. (it's me ice car so it am serious)
i have air tools and this takes like 20mins total,
i lightly grease them with marine GP great (Mercury brand is tops)
if it look like it needs service i then hot tank them. at work. saves lots of labor .

hand cleaning them is an act of love.
wear gloves. please.

cheers