Hope this is OK, says any truck related issue... My neighbor just gave me a 1980 Datsun 4x4 pickup, beat but runs, to use at my property. I'm still pretty new to 4x4s. When I lock the front hubs (hard packed dirt road) and turn sharply there is a loud and interrupting clunk in the front, also when going down a steep hill. Is this a hub problem, diff problem? All's fine when hubs are unlocked. Seems to be OK when climbing.
CK5
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Non GM truck, locking hubs
- Thread starter PaulZ
- Start date
A part-time 4WD system isn't like a modern AWD system. There's a reason that it's only for use on loose or slippery surfaces, because the system powers all four wheels rather than transferring power. Tight turns can cause the tires to skip and scrub. If there's a locker in the front end that can exacerbate issues. I'd check for any problems in the front end, like bad u-joints, loose u-bolts, pinion slop or bearing wear and worn or partially disengaged hubs. If you can't find anything, you may want to pull the cover off the differential and take a look.
Thanks for the reply para. My K5 (stock '83) does scrub the tires if I leave it in 4wd on hard surfaces, but not the clunking this one makes, sounds like a tooth is skipping or something. Maybe it's because the diff is locked up for some reason, I should have a look, good idea. I only need to have the hubs locked when I climb the hill to my cabin so it's not a huge problem. Thanks again.
Hope it works out for you! I've had diffs with missing teeth before, and you usually don't notice it unless it's chewed up real bad. On a truck that old I'm betting worn or loose driveline parts.
It might have mis-matched tires,if one is smaller or larger than the other,or the ones on one axle are different sizes than the other one,it will want to bind up and the hubs will eventually be forced to unlock for a second,and make a "bang"..
Another possibility is the diffs may not have matching gearing,someone may have swapped a different ratio in one end or the other--I had a '71 K5 I bought cheap because of that,it had a 3:73 front axle and a 3:08 in the rear,someone put the 12 bolt rear in it before I got it,it would feel like it was torquing up the frame if you used 4wd on bare pavement,then go "bang" when the hub unlocked from the strain...
Another possibility is the diffs may not have matching gearing,someone may have swapped a different ratio in one end or the other--I had a '71 K5 I bought cheap because of that,it had a 3:73 front axle and a 3:08 in the rear,someone put the 12 bolt rear in it before I got it,it would feel like it was torquing up the frame if you used 4wd on bare pavement,then go "bang" when the hub unlocked from the strain...
