BigJimnyMeet (North) 2024 (12 Jan 2024)
14th July 2024
Parkwood Nr. Leeds
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Front wheel drive
- Dom
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Is it ok to run a Jimny in front wheel drive (4x4 engaged but rear prop removed) while I'm waiting on parts/motivation to rebuild the rear diff?
I reckon the front end of the drive-train will be ok with it, but I'm not sure if the front hub vacuum mechanism will take prolonged use.
Do any of you have any thoughts or experience you could share on this?
Many thanks, Dom...
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If they're working reliably then there is nothing to suggest they won't continue to do so.
Kirkynut
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Yokohama Geolanders, Sony head unit, NAUTILUS Air Horn, DRL conversion, Rear cargo space, Elvis Bobblehead, transfer Guard, Indian hanging Elephant, Koni Heavy track dampers, Custom SS exhaust, Voodoo Doll, Adventure Rack with LED ight bar, vintage ERIBA caravan usually attached (yes it's slow)
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- Dom
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The front hubs operate just fine but my concern was that they're designed to be left in the disengaged position, and prolonged use with them engaged may cause wear to the mechanism.
Hopefully I'll get it sorted before there are any issues...
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- Stumpjumper
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Apart from a tendency to torque steer like an RS Focus, the experience wasn't much different than normal. However I'm glad the props back on...having not solved the resonance probs.
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There is no mechanism that wears when they are engaged. Prolonged use in front wheel drive will have no negative effect on the vacuum system.Dom wrote: The front hubs operate just fine but my concern was that they're designed to be left in the disengaged position, and prolonged use with them engaged may cause wear to the mechanism.
Hopefully I'll get it sorted before there are any issues...
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- Dom
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Stumpjumper wrote: I've been driving around all week with the rear prop removed & 4wd selected to shed light on some resonance I've been suffering.
Apart from a tendency to torque steer like an RS Focus, the experience wasn't much different than normal. However I'm glad the props back on...having not solved the resonance probs.
That leads into another train of thought I've also had relating to the 'death wobble'...
My Jimny starts shaking from the front end at about 65mph, and becomes really bad at about 85 (and I've had more out of it!*).
I've checked the tyre pressures and balancing, even put the rear wheels on the front (no change)
To be honest, as the fuel economy is so bad over 60 I don't generally push it that hard so it's not bothered me.
My Jimny is completely stock on the drive-train side, but with 70K on the clock there will probably be some age/mileage related slack in the linkage,so I was wondering how having the front wheels driven would affect that..
I'll give it a go and report back...
*On a side note if you're interested, I had in issue with the exhaust silencer fouling the tow bar bracket, so had it replaced by a 'custom/performance exhaust specialist', and lost the intake muffler after some accident damage so straight piped the intake, it goes like stink now!!!
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Other mechanical bits too from a 2002 that I broke.
Gold Jimny the best colour (sold)
Big red Jimny 32" tyres, arbs, cage 5:1 transfer etc. (Sold)
Grey pick up Jimny
Turbo m13a, arbs, floating rear shafts, disc conversion rear, vented front conversion. 245 70 16. Winch, 3" lift, 4:16 trans hd shafts and CVS
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- Dom
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The problem was the CV at the transfer-box end of the rear prop, so it's running in front-wheel drive while I source a replacement.
I thought I'd put some comments up here though in case any of you are thinking of or are forced to do the same.
When only the front axle is driven the vehicle drives quite differently, it's quite clear that the front axle set-up is just not designed for on-road use, hence why Suzuki decided to make it RWD when on the road, not FWD or AWD.
Observations when in FWD:
Steering pulls to the centre under acceleration in low gears.
Body rolls (front sway bars are inadequate) under acceleration in low gears
Front wheels scrub when pulling away with steering on/near lock
Manoeuvring stability is reduced when under power.
Front diff gets rather warm
On a positive note, for just pootling around town it drives just fine, actually the FWD helps pull the front around tight manoeuvres nicely as long as you don't use too much power when doing so.
The only thing that bothers me is that I don't think the front diff is rated for use 'at speed' as such.
I drove it to work this morning in FWD, a 2 hour trip involving some 60MPH cruising, and the front diff was rather warm afterwards,
I could touch it but couldn't hold my hand on it for more than a few seconds.
This is probably OK but defo need to keep the top speed down, and avoid flooring it up hills I think...
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Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
One of the last 200ish of the gen3s, probably.
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