4wd actualtor on the front diff...

[Blue]

How does it work...??? When in 2WD and the front wheels are off the ground, I turn one and the opposite turns - I woulda thought that the diff would have been freed up and only one wheel would turn...

[slimv6]

hey blue,

when the motor is off, ie, no vacuum, the vacuum actuator is engaged. when the engine is running and in 2x, then the diff is free. It hink it locks as standard when off.

probably a better guarantee that you'll have 4x ability if theres shit with the vacuum system.

am i write guys?

[Notso]

I would have thought the free wheeling hubs would have disengaged and the wheels should spin free.

[sam]

No free wheel hubs on these things notso

[Notso]

They are auto locking though so should be free when it's not in 4WD

From the manual!

"A free-wheel mechanism has been adopted which allows selection between 2WD and 4WD to be made while driving"

[slimv6]

blue, did you try with the motor running or off??

[Greedy]

Blue, are the wheels spinning the same or opposite directions?

[Blue]

Motor was off, changing wheels... wheels spun in opposite directions...

[Greedy]

I'm reasonably confidant that if the pressure is off both wheels, it indicates an open diff . This may sound a stupid reasoning but my escort spins wheels opposite directions and that definately ain't locked. Pretty sure 60 series cruiser did as well but long time since I looked under that thing and buggered if I know what it was diff wise.

[NowForThe5th]

Open front diff and vacuum operated disengagement. Try turning a wheel with the engine on and the dashlight off. You should get no feedback to the other side.

[Blue]

I know it's an open diff greedy just wasn't sure how the disengagement thing worked and why both wheels turned in 2WD when I assumed the drive had been disengaged...

NFT5, one thing that isn't explained is why the light isn't on when you first start the car, if the diff [i]is[/i] in fact engaged due to lack of vacuum - although I guess the switch for the light is in/on the transfer case. no lever movement, no light...

BTW, always had free-hubs, never had anything with this new fangled crap before - still prefer the free-hub, you can feel it engage, no assumptions necessary...

[slimv6]

my light is on while the MPI is "booting" Goes off after vacuum is present.

It's possible to force the 4x ops if there's something fecked with the system. at least you won't be getting stuck becasue of a faulty sensor or vacuum system The 4x4 operation can achieved by pulling the vacuum off the solenoid and obvoiusly the xfer case engaged. I haven't tried it but the ligic makes sense...

[NowForThe5th]

Blue, it's the hubs which disengage when there is vacuum, not the diff. It does take a moment for vacuum to build and to release the hubs, hence the small delay when you start.

I guess that this is a safety feature so if there is a problem then you can have drive to the front wheels. I've had no problems with Mitsubishi auto front hubs - just need to have steering at the straight-ahead for them to lock in or out.

[slimv6]

if memory serves, the pre KB7 like 5th's had freewheel hubs that disengaged.

KB7 and KB9 and Paj do not have hubs, the engagement is done in the diff.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143320&l=e5214&id=671705483

from the maual...

[Greedy]

Sorry Blue. More for SLIMV6's post. I should learn to quote.

[Jitsukablue]

Makes sense to me, if drive is disenguaged, other wheel should rotate in revese direction as per open diff. Diffs do my head in.