Shifiting into 4x4 problem

The other night I was on my way up to the Eisenhower tunnel. The road got really slick and I was doing about 25 mph. I tried to shift into 4-hi and there was a loud banging noise followed by a grinding noise (sounded almost like I was dragging something). I pulled over immediately and the noise stopped. I shifted back into 2WD and slowly got going again. No noise. When I got to a snow packed side street later on, I stopped, put it into 4-Hi, the light came on and I proceeded with no problems or noise. I don't know that much about how a 4WD system works, but what pieces of my truck did I (or could I have) jacked up? I know I should have slowed down some more, so please don't harp on the fact that I'm a retard. :bloated:

Thanks.

This happens to me pretty often. If I haven't used my four-wheel drive for awhile, it seems to stick when I shift into 4hi on the fly. I've had everything from a loud clunk, to a spring "Boing" to the gears grind.

It is easiest to come to a complete stop before shifting, but that isn't always possible. I've found that slowing below 20 mph and not having my foot on the gas minimizes the "pain" of shifting into 4hi.

Sounds like you were just going to fast. I always slow down to atleast 15mph when shifting on the fly. More than likely you didn't mess anything up this time, but you could mess up the hubs and possibly the inards of the transfer case if you're not careful. I know Nissan says 25mph but I don't like the sounds it makes when engaging the transfer case at that speed.

I've also noticed that if you limp wrist the gear lever this happens more often. It also helps if you take your foot off the gas and allow the truck to coast evenly.

I think you're doing it wrong. When you shift into 4wd, you need to back up something like 10' to "lock the hubs". Once they are locked, then you can shift in and out of 4wd. To disengauge and "unlock the hubs", shift into 2HI and then back up 10'. I think it explains the in the OM...

Originally posted by Stormy
I think you're doing it wrong. When you shift into 4wd, you need to back up something like 10' to "lock the hubs". Once they are locked, then you can shift in and out of 4wd. To disengauge and "unlock the hubs", shift into 2HI and then back up 10'. I think it explains the in the OM...

Um, for someone referring to the owners manual, you need to go have a look at yours yourself! You're spouting some serious misinformation!

No backing up "to lock the hubs" at all. You just keep driving ahead (under 25 MPH) and shift, the hubs lock immediately without stopping or backing up or doing anything special. At that point you can shift back and forth as you please as long as you don't roll/back up in 2WD.

As for unlocking the hubs, you have to back up, but it's only 3' according to the manual.

It's not that complicated people!
Brent

Brent, you need to relax. I don't sit in front of my computer with my OM open waiting for someone to ask a question about shifting into 4wd. That's why when I posted I said something like 10' because I wasn't sure and didn't say 10' exactly. That's also why I said I think it explains the in the OM because I wasn't sure.

BTW
As for unlocking the hubs, you have to back up, but it's only 3' according to the manual.
Since we're quoting out of the OM, it's 1 meter or 3.3 feet.:rolleyes:

I was trying to help him out, that's it. Would anything I said hurt his truck? The answer is no.

Sorry, but I cannot believe the number of questions about this that have been coming up lately. Ian has even created a "transfer case shifting 101" thread on XOC in response.

As for having my OM in front of me, I don't. I'm just familiar with the proper operation of my Xterra and I have retained some of the the information in my OM, especially since it keeps coming up it's hard to get rusty.

Brent

Stormy I'm going to have to side with Brent here. For someone that has a X off roading as their Image you would think that you would know how to switch into four wheel drive. :rolleyes:

When I test drove the X last year, The exact same thing happened in the demo truck. I stopped and shifted it into 4wd, started moving, shifted out, back in, everything was fine.
I don't trust the occasional banging/grinding. Everytime I shift into 4wd with the hubs unlocked, I come to a complete stop and shift.
You guys keep bangin and grinding away....

Originally posted by Stormy
I think you're doing it wrong. When you shift into 4wd, you need to back up something like 10' to "lock the hubs". Once they are locked, then you can shift in and out of 4wd. To disengauge and "unlock the hubs", shift into 2HI and then back up 10'. I think it explains the in the OM...


I too would have to say that backing up to shit into 4x4 is not required. The noise people are talking about is due to too high speed. I once tried shifting on the fly in my TJ (old 4x4) doing about 40MPH, it sounded like a rock been thrown into a woodchipper......

As for backing up to unlock 6 feet will always do the trick..

C

Originally posted by scott.com
Stormy I'm going to have to side with Brent here. For someone that has a X off roading as their Image you would think that you would know how to switch into four wheel drive. :rolleyes:

Hmmmm. Funny that I'm not complaining about grinding gears and bumping noises. I must be doing something right scott...:flipa:

I believe they are referring to your statement that you need to back up 10' to lock the hubs. That's just not true. No problem with the debate on how far you need to back up 3' or 10', just until you hear the click to unlock the hubs in 2wd. Do whatever makes you feel confident they're unlocked and you don't rear end the guy behind you.

Never heard the "click" you are talking about, then again I could turn down the tunes......


:finger:

Same here, never once have I heard a click. Then again, I've never made my t-case grind either :p

I hear the click of the hubs loking and unlocking.

Especially when I'm in 4WD and back up. If you have the windows down you can hear the hubs click twice, about 2ft apart.

All makes sense when you know how the hubs work.

Hey Colorado_buff,

This site may help you if you're not to sure about the Part-time 4WD of your X. It's helped me w/ the understanding of all the parts that make up this system..

http://4x4abc.com/4WD101/definition_part.html

when you're here, click the link that says, "How to properly use Part-time 4x4"

Hope this helps..

cheers,
xterrasesc

I think my original post was a bit misunderstood. I know how to shift in and out of 4 wheel drive. I've done it many times. I've even had the trasfer case "thunk" before. This is the first time I've heard the grinding noise. I assumed that I was going too fast and it didn't "catch". My assumption was that the grinding was most likely caused by the hubs. I was just posting to see if anyone thought it was worse than that. Sounds like it wasn't that big of a deal, but I'll watch my speed a little closer next time. I know it's best to come to a complete stop, but sometimes that's not practical. I happened to be on I-70 going up the pass to the Eisenhower tunnel. The folks behind me wouldn't have been too happy if I'd have stopped to shift into 4WD.

Hey in Vancouver BC it is quite common that drivers come to a full stop before changing lanes on the highway..

I think your "scare' was speed...so no need to back up on the I-70 to go into 4x4hi (grin)

Beernuts - theyll back up on the freeway in Seattle...

I just about dropped my T Case shifting on Stevens Pass on Sunday night. Ive had several 4X4's and they all bump and grind, especially when coupled with an automatic tranny. I dont worry about it too much - its not a Lexus and I dont mind mechanical noises.. I service it regularly and it has never given me any trouble. I did test drive the new frontier SC though and I tried H4. It got stuck and made some horrible noises!! The salesman tried to tell me it was normal. He shut up when I told him I had an XTerra though and we tool the POS back in silence.. Ive never heard of any major issues in the XTerra though.
At least its not push button!!!!!

Superjens - I think XLax and Scott.com will agree that you would be in BIG trouble if you looked like your avatar!! We'd all want to spend more "quality" time with you anyway....:D

Chad, are you kidding? If I looked like that I'd never leave my bed. And I'd be a lesbian.

Hey, I guess I'd have to sell the X and buy a Subaru :p

Ohhh boy.....:silly2: We better not go there.... Im starting to miss my Jetta....

I would imagine youd leave for batteries....


When are you gettin' an ARB/Calmini?? Maybe one of these days ill bribe you into helping me put some lights on the front of my rig - maybe help you with an ARB or something??

Speaking of Transfer Cases - I am definitely going to put a skid plate on mine before I go out again.

Originally posted by ozxterra
Beernuts - theyll back up on the freeway in Seattle...


Superjens - I think XLax and Scott.com will agree that you would be in BIG trouble if you looked like your avatar!! We'd all want to spend more "quality" time with you anyway....:D

Perhaps Scott would be turned on, but he would still have that foul mouth.......Yikes you just painted me a visual I did not need

No thank you. I go more for the athletic type. Takes nothing more then a handful to keep me happy. (Umm how come I feel like I'm leaving myself wide open here :rolleyes: )

Jens your avators certainly are more appealing then some other peoples <<cough>> Ian <<cough>>.

Oh to keep this from becoming an AOL chat room. I've also never heard this famous click that everyone talks about. Maybe I should also turn down my radio :D.

Do I need to make a Sexually Frustrated Canadian forum for you guys?:p

eh!:toothless

Not a seperate forum. Scott just need to identify his sex. He took a test a while back that said he was a woman...so perhaps he is just confused.
:cool:

Originally posted by scott.com
No thank you. I go more for the athletic type. Takes nothing more then a handful to keep me happy. (Umm how come I feel like I'm leaving myself wide open here :rolleyes: )



Ladies and Gentlemen the Store is OPEN !!! todays special:

50cent flamethrowers !!!

Dont just make it Canadian!! Where the heck am I gunna go???

Oh yeah, I know "where to go...." so you dont need to start on that opening....:sun:

Sorry for the string but I gotta say Scott - you crack me up!!!



This "click" peoples are talking about.... Ive never heard it.... Maybe its lost in the pebble noises coming from my tires....


Is the Transfer case the same in the '02's??? Did they upgrade/downgrade??

It's the same transfer case they've used since the first Pathfinders, the Fuji Univance TX-10A (http://www.uvc.co.jp/products/transfer/part-time_transfer_e.htm)

Brent

Thanks Brent,
I wish they would beef up the Low range on the X. It scores poorly with other SUV's even though it rocks in other fields. Its a little "quick" especially with the automatic.

It's geared almost equally to a Toyota with a 2.7:1 transfer case.

Toyota uses a 4.10 R&P, Nissan uses a 4.636 R&P.
Toyota's 1st gear is higher than Nissans.

Crawl ratio for the Xterra is about 26:1, Toyotas are 27:1 (Tacomas, 4Runners).