Vauxhall Brava 4*4 Prob

Hi,

I have just been for a drive in a mates ex AA Vauxhall Brava 4*4, and have
noticed a problem. When 4wd is engaged, the rear wheels seem to drag,
almost as if the front wheels are pulling the vehicle faster than the rear
ones. The vehicle is fitted with free wheeling hubs to the front wheels,
but there is no switches in the cab to activate them(if that is how u do
it!) Any ideas as to what the problem is? and is it expensive?

Cheers

Glynn

Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have just been for a drive in a mates ex AA Vauxhall Brava 4*4, and have
> noticed a problem. When 4wd is engaged, the rear wheels seem to drag,
> almost as if the front wheels are pulling the vehicle faster than the rear
> ones.

Are you doing this on tarmac?

> The vehicle is fitted with free wheeling hubs to the front wheels,
> but there is no switches in the cab to activate them(if that is how u do
> it!)

No, they are automatic FWH. No switches required, not indeed possible.
Older manual FWH had a selector on the hub itself, but the Brava hubs
don't work that way.

> Any ideas as to what the problem is? and is it expensive?

If you're engaging 4x4 on tarmac it could get expensive.

Read the manual before playing with 4x4.

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Thanks for responding to my post. First up, there is no manual so reading
it is not really possible. I am engaging the 4wd on grass and gravel, not
tarmac. Does 4wd not work on tarmac?

Thanks

Glynn


"Steve Firth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1g6zx6e.uktb1218xzfl1N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > I have just been for a drive in a mates ex AA Vauxhall Brava 4*4, and
have
> > noticed a problem. When 4wd is engaged, the rear wheels seem to drag,
> > almost as if the front wheels are pulling the vehicle faster than the
rear
> > ones.
>
> Are you doing this on tarmac?
>
> > The vehicle is fitted with free wheeling hubs to the front wheels,
> > but there is no switches in the cab to activate them(if that is how u do
> > it!)
>
> No, they are automatic FWH. No switches required, not indeed possible.
> Older manual FWH had a selector on the hub itself, but the Brava hubs
> don't work that way.
>
> > Any ideas as to what the problem is? and is it expensive?
>
> If you're engaging 4x4 on tarmac it could get expensive.
>
> Read the manual before playing with 4x4.
>
> --
> Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
> are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
> friendly advice in a flame-free environment.

yep he is right do not use it on dry tarmac they r only used for slippy
times as such mud etc etc. if you do not and u use it on the dry then u will
damage the diffs


"Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
> Thanks for responding to my post. First up, there is no manual so reading
> it is not really possible. I am engaging the 4wd on grass and gravel, not
> tarmac. Does 4wd not work on tarmac?
>
> Thanks
>
> Glynn
>
>
> "Steve Firth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:1g6zx6e.uktb1218xzfl1N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> > Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > > I have just been for a drive in a mates ex AA Vauxhall Brava 4*4, and
> have
> > > noticed a problem. When 4wd is engaged, the rear wheels seem to drag,
> > > almost as if the front wheels are pulling the vehicle faster than the
> rear
> > > ones.
> >
> > Are you doing this on tarmac?
> >
> > > The vehicle is fitted with free wheeling hubs to the front wheels,
> > > but there is no switches in the cab to activate them(if that is how u
do
> > > it!)
> >
> > No, they are automatic FWH. No switches required, not indeed possible.
> > Older manual FWH had a selector on the hub itself, but the Brava hubs
> > don't work that way.
> >
> > > Any ideas as to what the problem is? and is it expensive?
> >
> > If you're engaging 4x4 on tarmac it could get expensive.
> >
> > Read the manual before playing with 4x4.
> >
> > --
> > Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
> > are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
> > friendly advice in a flame-free environment.
>
>

so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag? I only ask because the
rear axle was replaced, and there have been problems since. How do cars
with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?

Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!


"james holloway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> yep he is right do not use it on dry tarmac they r only used for slippy
> times as such mud etc etc. if you do not and u use it on the dry then u
will
> damage the diffs
>
>
> "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:%[email protected]...
> > Thanks for responding to my post. First up, there is no manual so
reading
> > it is not really possible. I am engaging the 4wd on grass and gravel,
not
> > tarmac. Does 4wd not work on tarmac?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Glynn
> >
> >
> > "Steve Firth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:1g6zx6e.uktb1218xzfl1N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> > > Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I have just been for a drive in a mates ex AA Vauxhall Brava 4*4,
and
> > have
> > > > noticed a problem. When 4wd is engaged, the rear wheels seem to
drag,
> > > > almost as if the front wheels are pulling the vehicle faster than
the
> > rear
> > > > ones.
> > >
> > > Are you doing this on tarmac?
> > >
> > > > The vehicle is fitted with free wheeling hubs to the front wheels,
> > > > but there is no switches in the cab to activate them(if that is how
u
> do
> > > > it!)
> > >
> > > No, they are automatic FWH. No switches required, not indeed possible.
> > > Older manual FWH had a selector on the hub itself, but the Brava hubs
> > > don't work that way.
> > >
> > > > Any ideas as to what the problem is? and is it expensive?
> > >
> > > If you're engaging 4x4 on tarmac it could get expensive.
> > >
> > > Read the manual before playing with 4x4.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
> > > are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
> > > friendly advice in a flame-free environment.
> >
> >
>
>

Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:

> so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag?

Difficult to say, not it's not normal for the rear to feel as if it is
dragging. But is that really what is happening? I've not driven the
Brava/Frontera so I can't say for sure how it feels when 4x4 is engaged.
My own vehicle feels different when 4x4 is engaged to when it is RWD
only. The major difference is that steering lock is greatly reduced and
the vehicle feels as if it is pushing straight on. Is this the feeling
that you get? Presumably engaging 4x4 also puts the Brava into low
ratio? This feels weird when you first experience it compared to high
ratio.

> I only ask because the rear axle was replaced, and there have been
> problems since. How do cars with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?

Cars with permanent 4x4 have a different transmission with a front/rear
differential as well as diffs left to right. It could be that the
feeling that you have of the rear "dragging" is because the Brava
doesn't have this extra diff, hence the front and rear wheel rotation is
locked to each other.

> Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!

The biggest nuisance is your top-posting habit, if you could give a bit
of thought to looking at how others reply to posts it would help,
thanks.

--
Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
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"Steve Firth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1g70ciq.oh63yn4h4luaN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag?
>
> Difficult to say, not it's not normal for the rear to feel as if it is
> dragging. But is that really what is happening? I've not driven the
> Brava/Frontera so I can't say for sure how it feels when 4x4 is engaged.
> My own vehicle feels different when 4x4 is engaged to when it is RWD
> only. The major difference is that steering lock is greatly reduced and
> the vehicle feels as if it is pushing straight on. Is this the feeling
> that you get? Presumably engaging 4x4 also puts the Brava into low
> ratio? This feels weird when you first experience it compared to high
> ratio.
>
> > I only ask because the rear axle was replaced, and there have been
> > problems since. How do cars with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?
>
> Cars with permanent 4x4 have a different transmission with a front/rear
> differential as well as diffs left to right. It could be that the
> feeling that you have of the rear "dragging" is because the Brava
> doesn't have this extra diff, hence the front and rear wheel rotation is
> locked to each other.
>
> > Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!
>
> The biggest nuisance is your top-posting habit, if you could give a bit
> of thought to looking at how others reply to posts it would help,
> thanks.
>
> --

If the rear axle was replaced and your problems started at that time...
maybe the rear axle ratio is a few points off the front.
Theres a lot of different diff tooth and crown sets that fit in an Isuzu
diff case, if the axle came from a wrecker maybe the previous owner changed
the diff to a lower ratio for better towing/offroad performance?

rhys

On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 21:38:03 GMT, "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag? I only ask because the
>rear axle was replaced, and there have been problems since. How do cars
>with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?
>
SG: Generally by having 3 differentials - one in the main drive train
(on a Land Rover Discovery, for example, it's in the transfer box) and
one in each of the front and rear axles. There are alternatives to
this set-up but it is fairly common.

>Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!
>
SG: Don't apologise - everyone has to learn sometime ;-)

Regards
Steve G

Cheers Steve.

Thanks for your reply..


"SteveG" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 21:38:03 GMT, "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag? I only ask because
the
> >rear axle was replaced, and there have been problems since. How do cars
> >with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?
> >
> SG: Generally by having 3 differentials - one in the main drive train
> (on a Land Rover Discovery, for example, it's in the transfer box) and
> one in each of the front and rear axles. There are alternatives to
> this set-up but it is fairly common.
>
> >Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!
> >
> SG: Don't apologise - everyone has to learn sometime ;-)
>
> Regards
> Steve G
>

Sorry, another question!

Is this vehicle worth buying for weekend off road use? (That is why i was
driving it) when during the week it would be used for work (builders wagon)

Glynn

"Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Cheers Steve.
>
> Thanks for your reply..
>
>
> "SteveG" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 21:38:03 GMT, "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag? I only ask because
> the
> > >rear axle was replaced, and there have been problems since. How do
cars
> > >with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?
> > >
> > SG: Generally by having 3 differentials - one in the main drive train
> > (on a Land Rover Discovery, for example, it's in the transfer box) and
> > one in each of the front and rear axles. There are alternatives to
> > this set-up but it is fairly common.
> >
> > >Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!
> > >
> > SG: Don't apologise - everyone has to learn sometime ;-)
> >
> > Regards
> > Steve G
> >
>
>

God almighty, another reply.

Sorry Steve Firth, my news server did not carry your message, i only read it
in another response. The whole issue of top postijng is one that has bugged
me for a while.... I do not see the point of scrolling down miles of lines
to see the answer to a question, surely it is far better to see the answer
when you click on the reply? Ultimately it is surely a question of
preference? But thank you for your response, and the problem is not that
the rear wheels are dragging when i turn the vehicle, but when i go in a
straight line. the rear wheels are def turning slower than the front.....

Glynn


"Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Sorry, another question!
>
> Is this vehicle worth buying for weekend off road use? (That is why i was
> driving it) when during the week it would be used for work (builders
wagon)
>
> Glynn
>
> "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Cheers Steve.
> >
> > Thanks for your reply..
> >
> >
> > "SteveG" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 21:38:03 GMT, "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > >so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag? I only ask
because
> > the
> > > >rear axle was replaced, and there have been problems since. How do
> cars
> > > >with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?
> > > >
> > > SG: Generally by having 3 differentials - one in the main drive train
> > > (on a Land Rover Discovery, for example, it's in the transfer box) and
> > > one in each of the front and rear axles. There are alternatives to
> > > this set-up but it is fairly common.
> > >
> > > >Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!
> > > >
> > > SG: Don't apologise - everyone has to learn sometime ;-)
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > Steve G
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

In message <%[email protected]>, Glynn
Parry <[email protected]> writes

>so it is normal that the rear wheels seem to drag? I only ask because the
>rear axle was replaced, and there have been problems since. How do cars
>with permanant 4wd cope with dry tarmac?
>
>Thaks for your reply, sorry for being a nuisance!

Is the new axle off a 2x4 Brava, most of the AA ones are two wheel
drive, maybe the ratio's are different?

--
Graham Jones

Glynn Parry <[email protected]> wrote:

> I do not see the point of scrolling down miles of lines
> to see the answer to a question

Yes, well, you're using Outlook which is a badly broken newsreader.
However what's easier for you is a PITA for almost everyone else. In
most newsreaders, pressing the space bear pages through the post being
read then skips automatically to the next unread post when it reaches
the end. When you top-post, most of us have to scroll through pages of
drek to get to the end of your post before advancing to the next
article.

Also you aren't snipping any of the post that you are replying to. Hence
I have to download everything that I have already downloaded as well as
the few new lines that you add at the top of the post.

It's OT here, if you're interested, see my sig.

--
Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
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Problem solved. The new rear axle is indeed different to the front. When
the axle is replaced, are these vehicles worth buying?

And i will use a new newsreader in future to make sure i dont annoy others!
(Sorry!)

Thanks

Glynn

On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 16:26:27 GMT, "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Problem solved. The new rear axle is indeed different to the front. When
>the axle is replaced, are these vehicles worth buying?

One of the magazines had one for a long-term test, and their main
complaint was that the motor was rather low-powered by modern
standards. ISTR that it's somewhere under 100 horsepower, although I
could be wrong.

On the plus side, it will help you avoid speeding fines

>And i will use a new newsreader in future to make sure i dont annoy others!
>(Sorry!)

You *can* post properly with OE, if you're careful.

--
QrizB

I sound like I know what I'm talking about, but don't
be fooled.

"Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Problem solved. The new rear axle is indeed different to the front. When
> the axle is replaced, are these vehicles worth buying?
>
> And i will use a new newsreader in future to make sure i dont annoy
others!
> (Sorry!)
>
> Thanks
>
> Glynn
>
>

Whats the engine? size? petrol/diesel? TD, injection or carb?

the brava is probably badged as something else overseas,anyone know what?

rhys

On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 00:23:39 GMT, "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Sorry, another question!
>
>Is this vehicle worth buying for weekend off road use? (That is why i was
>driving it) when during the week it would be used for work (builders wagon)
>
>Glynn
>
Can't help you there, I'm afraid, as I have absolutely no knowledge of
the Brava or it's capabilities.

If the front and rear wheels are turning at different speeds then
surely it must be because of different differential ratios?

Regards
Steve G

"rnf2" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Problem solved. The new rear axle is indeed different to the front.
When
> > the axle is replaced, are these vehicles worth buying?
> >
> > And i will use a new newsreader in future to make sure i dont annoy
> others!
> > (Sorry!)
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Glynn
> >
> >
>
> Whats the engine? size? petrol/diesel? TD, injection or carb?
>
> the brava is probably badged as something else overseas,anyone know what?
>
> rhys
>
>
The engine is a 2.5TD, crewcab model. The actual engine is an Isuzu.

"Glynn Parry" <[email protected]> wrote

> > > Problem solved. The new rear axle is indeed different to the front.
> When
> > > the axle is replaced, are these vehicles worth buying?
> > >
> > > And i will use a new newsreader in future to make sure i dont annoy
> > others!
> > > (Sorry!)
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Glynn
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Whats the engine? size? petrol/diesel? TD, injection or carb?
> >
> > the brava is probably badged as something else overseas,anyone know
what?
> >
> > rhys
> >
> >
> The engine is a 2.5TD, crewcab model. The actual engine is an Isuzu.
>
>

Crewcab? Sounds like whats known as the Rodeo here, should be pretty much
bulletproof. I'd look at replacing the front diff with a gear set to match
the rear if you do a lot of towing, or heavy hauling, it'll cut into the
fuel economy but provide more pulling power.

Isuzu and GM often offer "Towing Packages", usually a slightly lower rear
ratio and a tranny oil cooler combo.

it should be a good truck.

rhys

> You *can* post properly with OE, if you're careful.

Especially if you install OE-Quotefix.

http://flash.to/oe-quotefix/

-- Steve