Hi all. I just got a 87 4runner 4x4 a mth. ago and the 4x4 worked fine but last week in a snow storm I put it in 4WD (got out turned the hubs to lock then shifted into 4HI) I can feel it engage but the front wheels dont seem to be in the 4x4 mode. I put it in 4x2 un-lucked hubs and i was able to rotate the front drive shaft, then I tryed it in 4x4 locked hubs and the drive shaft dosent rotate, which (from what I have read on here) thats a good thing. it say that its not the transfer case. Thanks for any help.

 

What do you mean? You can't feel them pulling, or ...? If it was an icy snow storm, you may have a hard time "feeling" the difference. If there's no traction, it doesn't matter how many wheels are driving or braking.

Can you jack the truck up and "drive" it and see if the fronts turn?

 

I can feel and hear the transfer case/ front end engage. I understand what your saying about not feeling it do to icey/snowy road (that went thru my head to) but I put the front 2 wheels into so snow and they would just sit there. They wouldent even spin. would worn out hubs cause something like this? Once its not 17* outside ill put it up on jack stands.....Sorry if im asking new guy questions, its because I am. lol...this is my first 4x4. I have been searching this site and it has helped me alot.......Hey Tc.. I see you have a 96 ss. I have a 95 ss, this is the reason I got the 4runner for the snow.lol

 

Could be the hubs aren't locking. What kind are they - Aisin? If so, there are several writeups on here on how to rebuild them.

The SS isn't too bad in the snow for ~300HP RWD, it's plenty heavy and limited slip, but I hated putting all those miles on a somewhat collectible car (A little over 100k). Well, was OK in the snow until I put the Bridgestone Potenza RE570s on - they REALLY suck in the snow (great anytime else though). Have you found a forum like this for the SS? I'm having a few issues that need to be dealt with, and I'm now spoiled by having all the info up front since finding yotatech...

 

Well as far as I know there the O.E. hubs. there red in color. Would anything else cause this?


Here is a IMPALA site that could help you out www.impalassforum.com these guys know there stuff. iv met up with a few of them for drag meets and such. So what problems are you having with your SS?

 

Yep, it could be that one of the hubs is sticking. And even though you're turning the dial, the internals aren't engaging. Try locking the hubs, with the t-case in 2WD, and then turn the front axle shafts by hand. If the hub is locked on a particular side, and you can turn the axle/CV by hand, then the hub isn't working properly.

I had a hub that did this for a couple of years, and I must have pulled it apart 6 times before it started working properly. Anybody who went wheeling with me during the last couple years might have seen me banging on the hub with a mallet to get the internals to pop into the locked position. Not the most sophisticated method of putting it in 4WD, but it worked.

 

When I turn the hubs to the lock postion I can hear them pop into lock. Tomorrow I am going to try what you said with turning the ft. axles and ill write back what I find.......Thanks

 

OK, the CV's will only turn when in 2wd and the hubs UN-locked. like there suppose to. So if there sticking they chose to prove me wrong today...LOL The hubs are the AISIN ones. what now? haha. ill throw it up on jack stands tomorrow and see if all 4 will turn.

 

Sounds like you are good to go. Did you test it off the ground?

 

Well you can say that I tested it .....I went to put it up on stands and my floor jack wasent working...lol so I did the next best thing. I took it to the power lines and did a little off roading and she work perfect! Now all i got to do is figure out my brake issuses and Ill be good to go....Thanks