Dads 4wd is out

[tprice1985]

Ok I wasnt with him so i am not sure of the issue. He has a 97 Suzuki Sidekick 4door 4wd. It has manul locking hubs. When he got it he didnt try the 4wd....IDK y not but thats beside the point. Well he went to go out yesterday and locked the hubs and tryed to pull out and the 4wd was not working. He took it to "Lakway" in bristol and they said that everything was turning but the hubs. My understanding was that the right side shaft was turning but the left wasnt....Does that sound normal and if the hubs are bad where is the best place to grab some. Also are hubs vehical spacific or can i grab any set of like waren hubs or something.

[99NCXJ]

Moved this to tech questions for you.

As far as your question goes, when you put it in 4wd, you will actually only have one side pulling in the front and one side pulling in the rear. Contrary to the term 4x4, its really only pulling with 2 wheels in 4wd and one wheel in 2wd. (technically) With open differentials, the power will take the path of least resistance.

If one of the hubs isn't engaging then the power will go to that side and not give you any pulling power in the front. Chances are, that one hub is just stuck and not engaging. Pull the hub apart and clean it out/grease it, and put it back together. It should take care of your problem. While you are at it, go ahead and pull the other hub apart and clean/inspect it aswell. I had the same thing happen to my old 4runner when I first got it. one hub wasn't clicking in all the way and all the power was going to that side.

[tprice1985]

THanks overlooked the question section..haha... whats the best way to clean the hub? and what type of grease?

[99NCXJ]

Just take them apart and either use a parts washer or just clean them by hand. Let them dry out good and just put some wheel bearing type grease in them. Not too much though.

[tprice1985]

I let him know. I will update everyone how it works out. Hopefuly it will work.