Diff wind up

[Nostromo]

Not been to much snow around here but have been using 4 wheel drive around side streets as they have been quite slippy. its been the only chance I have had to try the 4wd since buying the truck.
Noticed the steering to be quite juddery and quite a few groans when on full lock. Think the diff may have been wound up on the tarmac by the previous owner (lady who only used the truck to fill up at Sainsbury's).
How far do you think i would have to reverse to unwind it (given that i dont have access to a rolling road), Ideas anyone.
If my diagnosis is wrong and i do try to unwind it by reversing would that wind the diff the opposite way.

[Albannach]

You've wound it up driving on non slippery surfaces. Take it properly off road and drive it around, that may fix it. Never ever use 4wd on a 2nd gen unless you're on a 100% slippery or loose surface.

[biosurf]

Wouldn't jacking both front wheels off the ground sort it too if its not completely flubbed?

[Albannach]

Wouldn't jacking both front wheels off the ground sort it too if its not completely flubbed?

I'm not sure to be honest, but I always thought it (any non differential transfer box, not just a Surf) had to be driven on slippy stuff to unwind the transfer box properly.

[wishbone]

Grease the steering stops ?


I always thought the expression 'wind up the transfer box' referred to the wheels putting a strain on the TB due to their grip on the ground ? I don't think there is anything in the transfer box to physically wind up as such. Its just an expression like 'tail wagging the dog' to express when the wrong end of a system is controlling things. ie just jack up all 4 wheels (probably just the fronts) and any tension would go, without the wheels spinning backwards or anything so dramatic. I'd go so far as to suggest that if it goes back into 2WD then it is not wound up anyway.

Just my thoughts though....

Rob.

[Albannach]

No, it will wind up and eventually break (although I've never heard of a Surf one breaking), no diff remember. OP doesn't mention taking it out of 4wd at all, only putting it in and driving around on tarmac.

[wishbone]

The OP suggested the previous owner had 'wound up' the TB going to the supermarket. ( ) Then went on to say he'd just started using 4WD as it's been the first chance since he'd owned it. How can the transfer box stay 'wound up' if the trucks been in 2WD for some time ?

And he said he was using 4WD on slippy side roads - not tarmac..

[Albannach]

OK, you win.

[wishbone]

OK, you win.

I didn't realise it was a competition ?

What's the prize ?

Rob.

Edit: I know what you're suggesting about driving with 100% grip as that could cause problems (no give) ie : the tail doesn't wag the dog but breaks it..

[TonyN]

it dosn't wind up, its a rubbish description. the sliding coller on the front drive shaft binds on its shaft and sticks, the same for the t/case solonoid. the sliding collar is on one side of a open diff, so not so bad, its normally the t/case that sticks on then the wheels can't slip and the selector binds on its shaft

reversing and wiggling steering relieves the pressure, and it pops out.

it WILL groan and judder while in 4wd all the time on anything but completely slippery surface, as long as it dosn't do it in 2wd everything is fine.

in 4wd drive on dry tarmac on full lock, it will actually lockup the drivetrain (or explode a CV lol ) completely till a tyre can slip. but nothing can actually 'wind up' or need unwinding, its a discription of the binding up of the t/case cos there isn't a diff in there to allow the front and rear axle to travel differant distances when cornering.

[Albannach]

I didn't like to use the terms stick, lock or bind as I've only ever seen it referred to as 'Wind up' on here. I assumed that was what it was called on a 4wd car.

Similarly with the 'release' mechanism. I've seen it said a few times on here, without contradiction, that it is easiest done on loose ground. So I again assumed that was the best/only way to do it on a Surf. We live and learn.

In the olden days (on non military Bedfords anyway) the transmission locked up solid if 4wd was used incorrectly. Propshafts had to be removed to recover them. I only vaguely recall repairing one, I think the whole Gearbox/transfer box was replaced as a unit. We didn't attempt a repair.

[TonyN]

I didn't like to use the terms stick, lock or bind as I've only ever seen it referred to as 'Wind up' on here. I assumed that was what it was called on a 4wd car.

Similarly with the 'release' mechanism. I've seen it said a few times on here, without contradiction, that it is easiest done on loose ground. So I again assumed that was the best/only way to do it on a Surf. We live and learn.

In the olden days (on non military Bedfords anyway) the transmission locked up solid if 4wd was used incorrectly. Propshafts had to be removed to recover them. I only vaguely recall repairing one, I think the whole Gearbox/transfer box was replaced as a unit. We didn't attempt a repair.

I've used it in the past, and everyone else does, but it always bugged me, and in this case has led to someone completely getting the wrong end of the stick.

Time to make stand! and don't get me started on the 'when to use 4wd' paranoia thats spread around...

[Maverick]

don't get me started on the 'when to use 4wd' paranoia thats spread around...

I thought that was easy, use it when you need to.

That doesn't mean to wait until you've done a 180 spin and finished facing the truck behind you (not mentioning any names here).

[Nostromo]

OK
Lets start again.
The previous owner used the surf for shopping and probably had no idea when to use 4wd so probably used it on the tarmac when we had a bit of drizzle on a saturday morning.
I on the other hand have only put in in 4wd when on slippery roads with snow and ice and noticed that the steering was juddery and groaning on full lock at this time.
I fully understand when to use 4wd, high and low ratio etc I just wondered if anyone new how to cure the problem commonly known as diff wind up.
Not too bothered about the technical terms or science behind it, just dont want to break anything.

Does anyone have the genuine answer to this question.
Is it to reverse a way
Just drive in 2wd for a bit (if this is the answer then it hasn't worked in the past 6 months of normal 2wd driving)
Jack up the front end and let it "unwind istself"
or other.

Funny, you can ask anyone when not to use 4wd and every one is an expert and says "only use on slippy stuff or you will wind the diff up"
When you ask if anyone knows how to cure this problem then nobody is the expert, you get half a dozen different answers and nobody can even agree what the term diff wind up means.

Genuine answers on the back of a post reply please.
"Que long silence"

[Sancho]

Did you actually read post #10 above, Mr Grumpy Pants?