auto hub:manual hub, difference?

[whitenbluesX]

i just got my 2000 Xterra about a month ago.. unfortunatly, it didn't come with a user manual so there's a bunch of little things that i need to know- but first things first..

i keep reading about manual hubs and auto hubs.. what's the difference? im assuming i have manual hubs due to the open'cap center caps on my front wheels.. i had my wheels off today and there're those little bolts all around the hub as well..

i've also tried the whole 25mph roll and tried to shift from 2wd to 4hi.. yeah.. all i got was a bunch of grinding- is that right? what did i do wrong?

this is my first 4x4 so it's a learning process for me.. i love my Xterra tho.. wouldnt trade it for anything.. just wish i knew more about it (im reading a lot, thanks to this forum)..

any info is greatly appreciated!! thank you!! ~Sarah

[chubbybubba1]

Unless the previous owner installed manual hubs, it came with automatic hubs stock. Manual hubs have a selector switch on them. Set at one position it will say 4 x 2, in the other position it will say 4 x 4.
Get a manual from your nearest dealer for sure. It will go through the whole when and when not to use 4 x 4 etc......
You tried to do what is called shift on the fly. With manual hubs you can't do that anymore. Even when I had auto's on, I was always at a complete stop. You shouldn't have grinding between those two gears at a stop.

[whitenbluesX]

ha.. yeah- i can switch from 2wd to 4wd with just the lever inside the truck- thanks for clearing that up!
and i dont have grinding at a stop between 2wd and 4hi.. it was grinding between those when i was rolling. the only time it'll grind when stopped is when it's in neutral and im shifting out of 4lo back into either 4hi or 2wd..

[chubbybubba1]

Have your transmission in nuetral when shifting between 4hi and 4lo. The neutral position on the transfer case isn't a "safe" position. Staying there will allow what is called "spooling up" the gears. You need to be going between the two gears quick and firm with no hesitation. If you hestitate going from 4hi to 4lo you'll get that dreaded grind. But remember, have your transmission, be it a manual or an automatic, in NUETRAL.

Also, you didn't reply with if you have manual or auto hubs. Manual hubs have a selector switch on them. This is important to know. If you have auto hubs, end of discussion. Once you take the transfer case back to 2wd, all you do is back up a few feet and the auto hubs disengage. Soccer moms love not having to get out and lock and unlock hubs. If you have manual hubs(selector switch in the center of the wheel), you need to be locking them in 4 x 4 first then shifting to 4hi or 4lo on the transfer case inside as I've discussed before. When you're done, stop, shift back to 2wd, then get out and switch your manual hubs to 4x2.

[OffroadX]

Just read the label on the headliner behind the sun visor. Really, what more is there to it?

[whitenbluesX]

^hey, buddy- i came on this forum to learn more about my truck- not have to deal with smart ass comments from people who like to make assumptions. i've seen the 'check behind your visor' comments before- well, news flash- there's nothing on nor behind my visor on either driver or passanger sides of my vehicle. and if you'd take the time to read my original post, you'd see that my truck didn't come with an owners manual either- hence WHY IM ASKING HOW TO DO THINGS rather than just go and screw up my drivetrain with ignorance.

to the people who have answered, thank you- im assuming my hubs are auto- after looking at them- the front caps are open but all that's there are black covers over the hub itself. im not into offroading (yet).. so i guess auto hubs work for me for now. thanks again

[chubbybubba1]

Sounds like you do have the auto hubs. Have fun four wheelin. Keep practicing shifting the transfer case. Shift firmly and quickly. Don't give it a chance to spool up.

[OffroadX]

OK, if you're missing the sticker on the headliner, my apologies.
If you need an owner's manual, you can get it here in PDF form:
http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...san-Xterra.zip

[whitenbluesX]

thanks.. gotta take it in on wednesday for some stuff that i can't handle.. i'm gonna ask about the whole grinding thing- cuz i tried the 25mph roll shift from 2h to 4h last night and all i got was grinding once again until i stopped.