Use of low range in 2WD

[ozpacman]

Hi all,

I live on a sloped acerage block and regularly use my DX single cab ute for doing stuff in the yard.

Quite often when using the box trailer I'll select low range but not engage the hubs. I do this to save riding the clutch when doing hill starts, and whilst reversing the trailer into tricky spots.

My thinking is that with the hubs not engaged I shouldn't be harming anything however I'd value the opinions of those with a greater knowledge than I in regard to this activity.

Am I doing any harm to anything mechanically by doing this?

Cheers,

Russ

 

[Old.Tony]

Not at all. Feel free to do it.

The transfer case engages the front drive shaft, which turns over the front diff and axles, but without the hubs being engaged, there will be no dramas at all.

 

[04SilverSTR]

it is also good for front diff as it turns the oil over.

bryan

 

[ozpacman]

Thanks very much gents. I got into the habit of doing this with my old Kia Ceres 4x4 ute (manual hubs also) that I had before the Nav and always found it really handy.

It's been one of those situations that I've sort of thought, "Nah - it surely can't hurt anything whilst the hubs aren't engaged", but it's always good to be sure.

Thanks again for your prompt responses.

Russ

 

[Dave]

Do it all the time.

Saves the clutch, 240,000km's on my original clutch and still going strong.

 

[mitch92]

Nope, nothing harmed

 

[scooba_285]

ive heard it can be a bad idea but i dont understand why? i agree that it wont hurt it though

 

[Geoff3DMN]

I've heard some people claim that under heavy loads and with heavy throttle in 2WD and in low range the engine can generate enough torque to cause damage.

The justification is that the torque and power that is normally split between 2 axles is being delivered to a single axle and without the reduction in torque twisting effect that high range gives.

NB... I'm not supporting this theory, just repeating what I've heard.

 

[tweak'e]

at slow speed its fine. just do not drive in 4x4 without front hubs in a higher speeds.

as i understand it the problem is the diff. because in 4x4 mode the diff is being turned, the pinion fires the crown gear forward. because theres no load from the wheels, the crown wheel tooth gets bunted forward making the next crown wheel tooth smack into the back of the pinion gear tooth.
so the gear teeth get bounced off each other and it ends up breaking them.

 

[nic.t]

i like to do it every so often to keep the oil and bearings rotating. probably makes no difference but i like to think it does.

 

[joshman]

As I see it, it. O different than driving around with your hubs locked in... The front diff turns, the transfer case doesn't bind. No hassles.