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Front wheels locking up

 
 
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notaclue79
Gate Opener


Joined: 01 Dec 2019
Odometer: 5
Location: uk



PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 3:24 pm    Post subject: Front wheels locking up Reply with quote

Hi

Could anyone please help me???

I own a vw amarok 2013 6 speed manual part time 4wd.

If I select 4wd hi as per the instructions, when I drive forward it feels like it's really struggling, and the the left wheel locks up for a second then a bit further the right wheel locks up? It's undrivable and while I am on a paved road I'm going in a straight line very slowly. It does the same thing on ice!

I put the car on stands as I wanted to see what's going on, might be a bad idea?

In 2wd the left rear wheel turn fast and the right hardly spins at all.

In 4 wd high the front wheels turn and the rear left. If I really rev the engine the rear right wheel spins a bit then it spins backwards??

It sometimes goes in 4wd no problem and other times the transfer motor goes backward and forwards then gives up. The fault above is always present.

I should add 2wd seems fine driving?

Does the Amarok have locking hubs? The front prop is always turning in 2wd.

I would appreciate any clues??? Thanks
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Nightbar
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 30 Sep 2003
Odometer: 20799
Location: In a state of anticipation...


1999 Land Rover Defender

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome and I have to admit I've not got a clue either...

...but there's a lot of experience on here so hang in there Cool

__________________________________
The ex-Difflock Ambassador to Naples, Sir Nightbar DCJC DFS and 2 bars.

Plant a tree for the Difflock 3
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cynic-al
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 14 Nov 2006
Odometer: 6062
Location: scunthorpe


1989 Suzuki SJ

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The part time 4wd system has no centre diff, this means that the front and rear propshaft have to turn at the same speed, however on a grippy surface they need to turn at different speeds when cornering as the front wheels travel less distance than the rear. This will cause the feeling of it going tight as it has to force one wheel to slip which puts a lot of pressure on the drive train.

The diffs on the front and rear axle are not and cannot be locked (unless you have the optional rear difflock and have pressed the button), This means that the two wheels on one axle can turn at different speeds, when jacked up one usually goes faster than the other as one bearing might be a bit tighter or one brake might be rubbing slightly etc. You should be able to stop each wheel one at a time by holding a bit of wood against the tyre or whatever but if the system is working there should always be atleast one wheel on the front and one wheel on the back turning.

This is why you cannot use your vehicle in 4wd on a paved surface. Only when on slippery ground.

If 4wd won't engage try to slowly move the vehicle with a bit of lock on, it helps things line up in the transfer box. The same if it won't disengage, it takes the pressure off so that it can disengage.

The traction control will brake a wheel to try and keep everything going at the same speed, on mine I find I have to turn it off on snow and ice as it makes it very difficult to manoeuvre.

Hope that's helpful.

__________________________________
I know enough to be dangerous.
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notaclue79
Gate Opener


Joined: 01 Dec 2019
Odometer: 5
Location: uk



PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Many thanks for your reply. It made sense.

I am surprised that you can't even drive slowly on tarmac in a straight line, I mean no more than 1mph. I had a Nissan Navara D40 before and I could drive that no problem (slowly) on tarmac, turning was kinda impossible but that's normal....I was expecting better from VW amarok.

Again. Thank you for your time.
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cynic-al
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 14 Nov 2006
Odometer: 6062
Location: scunthorpe


1989 Suzuki SJ

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In a straight line with equal tyres all around it should be ok but any amount of turning will stress it.. I hate autos but went for it for the full time 4wd. I found the part time 4wd ok when you changed with a stick but I find the electronic shifting can be hard work.

Good luck!

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I know enough to be dangerous.
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notaclue79
Gate Opener


Joined: 01 Dec 2019
Odometer: 5
Location: uk



PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So.....took the truck to VW and they said at some point the rear axle has been changed on my truck as it had diff lock when it left the factory. There is a plug hangging where is should connect onto the rear diff?


They say this "may" be my problem, but they confirmed there is a permanent fault with the 4wd.

So £120 down and still none the wiser.

Would a missing rear diff actuator (?) Cause the above posted problems?

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks

K
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Mr Tyre
Mr Tyre


Joined: 17 Jun 2002
Odometer: 4957
Location: Darlington Co Durham



PostPosted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

On the rear axles with diff lock in the sensors can be a problem and fail.To replace the difflock acuator the diff has to come apart which requires special tools, you need to replace both parts of the acuator to get the difflock to work again.To me someone has changed the axle to a non difflock axle very likely due to the price for the job, only problem and for whatever reason someone supplied them with either the wrong axle or the cheaper off the two, hence no difflock.
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Scrunt44
Just got MTs


Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Odometer: 137
Location: Scotland.



PostPosted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 8:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

@notaclue79, welcome.
Where are you in the UK?

The Pickup needs to go to a VW Independent with Commercials experience or a 4x4 specialist with Amarok experience.
Even though it is a manual gearbox a Automatic Gearbox Specialist might be more clued up. They usually are.

As found out, a VW Main Dealership is not the place to take an older one unless there is a Tech that is an enthusiast.
Trial and error will not sort things out.
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notaclue79
Gate Opener


Joined: 01 Dec 2019
Odometer: 5
Location: uk



PostPosted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Again, thank you for your time in replying.

I never even thought my truck was too old for VW to basically give a S**t but its so true now you pointed it out. They looked underneath and saw an immediate "problem" and called it a day.

They did offer to change the rear axel for 6k but cant be sure that's the fault, transfer case 7K!!! At least they washed my truck...….which looked good for an hour.

So my question now is, would nothing connected to the plug for the rear diff lock affect the front wheels to lockup one at a time at any speed. And whine?

I thought diff lock was another option and separated form 4wd high?

The truck drives fine in 2wd.

I will look for a independent vw in TN2 area.

Thanks, and much apricated.

Forgot to say I'm selling the truck so need to get to the bottom of it soon, not fair on the new owner!!
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Mr Tyre
Mr Tyre


Joined: 17 Jun 2002
Odometer: 4957
Location: Darlington Co Durham



PostPosted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you have the difflock acuated the dash will tell you it is, because you don't have a difflock rear axle plugging the plug in isn't going to make any difference, because logic tells me that with nothing in the rear axle nothing will happen.


Second hand axles are available starting at around 400 notes, but i would expect difflock ones to be more expensive
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cynic-al
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 14 Nov 2006
Odometer: 6062
Location: scunthorpe


1989 Suzuki SJ

PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just because the plug is there doesn't necessarily mean it had a difflock, looms are sometimes in place. regardless of if the accessory is fitted. I'm afraid I wouldn't trust the dealer.

That said if I were you I would research to see if the axle ratios are different between auto and manual, different engine outputs etc. I know on the ford you can order it with different ratios. If it has had an axle or diff replaced with one from the wrong ratio that would cause your problem. The difflock working or not working would not cause this problem. The difflock should have a button to the bottom right of the gearstick to turn it on and off.

This isn't a UK spec sheet but as you can see the final drive ratio is 4.3 manual, 3.7 auto. The wrong ratio would cause the problems you describe.

http://d3d6mf6ofxeyve.cloudfront.net/wieckautod...20June%202016.pdf


You could try jacking up the left hand side of the car and chocking the right hand side wheels very well, put a sticker on the front left tyre and rear left tyre. Put it in 4wd 1st gear and let it idle with the traction control turned off. The two stickers should always be in the same place, ie always both at the top, side bottom etc. If they get out of sync your axle ratios are different. Just be really careful doing this to make sure you don't crash the car into anyone!

__________________________________
I know enough to be dangerous.
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notaclue79
Gate Opener


Joined: 01 Dec 2019
Odometer: 5
Location: uk



PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CYNIC-AL.........In my world your are a super hero!!!!!


Thank you to everyone who took the time to suggest possible problems and solutions but
CYNIC-AL has solved the problem and I even have the correct rear axle on order from a breakers yard. Fingers crossed it's plain sailing ahead.

Hats off and thank you very much!!!!!!
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Mr Tyre
Mr Tyre


Joined: 17 Jun 2002
Odometer: 4957
Location: Darlington Co Durham



PostPosted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cynic-Al Superstar Very Happy
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cynic-al
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 14 Nov 2006
Odometer: 6062
Location: scunthorpe


1989 Suzuki SJ

PostPosted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fingers crossed that's the problem!
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