Shifiting into 4x4 problem

[colorado_buff]

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.

Thanks.

[ToeJam]

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.

[rednec]

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.

[Goliath the X]

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.

[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...

[OffroadX]

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

[Stormy]

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.

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

[OffroadX]

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

[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.

[Stormy]

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....

[Xlax]

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

[Stormy]

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.

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

[Schludwiller]

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.

[Xlax]

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


:finger:

[superjens]

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