Problem with Pajero

[kapil]

Hi,

Me and one of my friend both own a Pajero 3.8 2006. they have about the 50,000 kms on them.

My friends Pajero has developed a peculier problem (I think). When we put the vehicle in 4HLc mode or 4LLc mode (Center diff lock - high or low), the steering becomes very tight and it feels like teh car is stuck in mud or sand. Freewheeling also decreases considerably. Also when when the car is turned to either side there is a lot of noise as id teh tyres were rubbing against the body.

This is what happens on my old jeeps and even wranglers, but i have not experienced this on my pajero and any of the more sofisticaed suvs.

Can someone help me get an idea of what might be wrong?

[T.N.T]

We were waiting at the signal and a friend of mine put his brand new Land Cruiser on L4 while the differential lock was on and it stalled on the U-turn. Same issue, no freewheeling and the car uses much higher RPM than normal on a particular speed.
I'm guessing its not an issue though, since it mostly happens after an off-roading session. Did you guys just come from off-road?

[kapil]

No, It just happend every time u put teh car in lock mode. and only on this car. i have driven prados, pathfinder, patrol, fortuner n of course my pajero. Doesn't happen in any of these!

[T.N.T]

Hmm, same thing in the LC. Anyone else knows more?

[root]

isnt diff lock supposed to make it stiff...to be used for driving straighter tracks?

[T.N.T]

All I know is it works magic off-road

[kapil]

TNT, Root, whot you guys are talking about is teh rear diffrential.

What I am talking about is the center diffrential or what is also called teh transfer case. In teh lock mode it sends 50-50 torque front and back.

moreover, rear diff lock will have no effect on steering tightness though it would give under steer and push the car in straight line.

[T.N.T]

I don't know much but the LC just has a center diff.
Are you a member on Dubai4x4? Try asking there.

[Shukran]

Gents

What is experienced here is called windup - Please NEVER select 4HLc mode or 4LLc mode on a hard surface you could snap half shafts and prop shafts. Please read the following to explain this phenomenon.
http://www.pps.net.au/4wdencounter/4wdtech/vehicle_features.html

if you get an elastic band, and try to think of it as one of your drive shafts, place it over your finger and thumb,pull it taught and place a piece of wood inbetween and wind in one direction until its tight, now what happens to the wood if you let go. That is what your drive shafts are trying to do to each other.

Regards
Shukran

[kapil]

Totally agree. The center diff lock is meant to be used on any surface but paved roads. It is absolutly ok to be used on gravel or wet roads.

What I have been asking about is this issue happening in slippery surfaces also! It happens in old jeeps and wranglers but not on Pajeros except this one I mentioned here..