4WD H and L system problem?

All tech relating to the Suzuki Vitara that won't relate to any other models, Front IFS etc.
Andy_GV_V6_2.5
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Re: 4WD H and L system problem?

Post by Andy_GV_V6_2.5 » Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:07 pm

Hi Guys,

Quick update on this. I went shooting up my mates farm today and purposley went on an area filled with thick deep(ish) muck. Tried to pull out and of course no chance, so engaged 4WD H and just as you said, no hard pulling steering etc and she just pulled straight and smooth out of the mud! I then tried it in 4WD L and same result so it appears that you are right.......and yet, I'm not 100% convinced just yet that there is nothing wrong.

Why you ask? Well, even though the steering felt stiffer but not pulling to one side and she came out of the muck easily enough, something just doesn't "feel" quite right. With the Terrano, even though someone said it's also only meant to be a "part time" 4WD system, it would EASILY drive as smoothly and as fast on tarmac as it would in 2WD Rear. The only difference being much better grip etc of course. It never clanged, clanked, whined or anything else and it never broke, wether it was meant to be in 4WD on tarmac or not.

With this GV V6, I can honestly tell you now that even on a loose surface such as snow, I would not like to drive it any faster than maybe 30mph because she just doesn't like high(ish) speed with 4WD selected at all. I don't quite know how to explain it properly sorry, but it just doesn't "FEEL" right somehow.

Are they all like this, or does mine have a bit of a problem? When you guys here that own a GV and you select 4WD in snow or maybe "greenlaning" type light mud, could you drive along at say between 30-50mph with it feeling as if you were in 2WD? In other words, smoothly with no graunchy or almost "whiney" type of feel/noise, because this GV of ours can't? Like I say, 30mph max would be the fastest I would feel safe in her in snow/ice/mud etc. I am not suggesting that anyone SHOULD be driving at higher speeds on a slippery surface, but I know for a fact that the Terrano would do it no problem and also did it on tarmac smooth as silk, wether it was designed to do it or not. If this is how Suzukis are meant to feel offroad, then so be itm that's fine, but I can't help but feel that something ain't quite 100% right with this one. To be honest, the old clunky terrano would have out driven this GV in any 4WD situation in the mud all day long.....Ah well, she's a real beauty on tarmac in 2WD and we do love that V6 despite the thirsty pertol usage :)

Andy

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Tramp
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Re: 4WD H and L system problem?

Post by Tramp » Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:52 pm

I don't know about GV's but I once working on my SJ & i accidently slipped it into 4wd high & then took it for a spin, on the road it was awful I was driving along and it almost felt like it was crabbing sideways the ride was so harsh and awkward, the road holding was bad & it felt really rough - but it was normal. FYI the new generation vitara's are permenant 4wd and have a center diff, I have no idea about the terrano so can't really comment,

Andy_GV_V6_2.5
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Re: 4WD H and L system problem?

Post by Andy_GV_V6_2.5 » Wed Nov 26, 2014 9:06 pm

Tramp wrote:I don't know about GV's but I once working on my SJ & i accidently slipped it into 4wd high & then took it for a spin, on the road it was awful I was driving along and it almost felt like it was crabbing sideways the ride was so harsh and awkward, the road holding was bad & it felt really rough - but it was normal. FYI the new generation vitara's are permenant 4wd and have a center diff, I have no idea about the terrano so can't really comment,
Thank you! Although it's a little disappointing after the Terrano's 4x4 System, I am also relieved that this seems to be the way they are when on even wet tarmac and I'm just glad the front diff isn't knackered etc ;) I will just have to be careful where and when I use 4WD H/L with this one. She will of course spend almost all her life in 2H anyway, though with all the rain recently this last month, the amount of deep muck etc up my mates farm where I do my shooting is staggering :shock: and I will defo be needing her in 4WD H and sometimes L now and then until it all dries up a bit. As for tarmac with the coming winter of possible ice and maybe a little snow, it will be interesting to see if she runs smoothly at "reasonable and safe" speeds without all the crabbing and akwardness etc :er: Here's hoping eh?

Andy :D

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Re: 4WD H and L system problem?

Post by Tramp » Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:14 pm

I'm sure it will be fine, when my SJ is off road I get non of the above symptoms, it was just driving on the Tarmac, I remember the symptoms being especially bad on a long sweeping bend, & I can remember thinking something was wrong, so don't worry, we've all been there!

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Re: 4WD H and L system problem?

Post by ScottieJ » Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:30 am

Might be worth checking the front diff has good oil in it?
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