here's a puzzle!!!

D

drewinator

New member
Well i just bought another 4runner. My first was a 98. This one is a 94

Here is a weird problem it has (the reason i got it cheap) The rear end is locked up when you try and move the truck forwards. I have pulled the drive shaft to eliminate a transfer case problem. And the truck rolls perfect in reverse. I just wanted to hear any thoughts on the problem. I haven't torn into it yet but was just looking for ideas. Someone mentioned dragging or stuck brake pads but i'm not sure if this would cause the rolling problem moving forward and not backwards.
Very odd problem i've never quite seen somethign like this before.
Thanks all.
 
Register to hide this ad
When you say "try to move the truck forwards" are you meaning with gears engaged trying to drive, or with it in neutral just trying to push it forward?
 
truck was in neutral, transfer case was in neutral. And at this point the drive shaft is completely disconnected. It has to be either rear brakes or differential issue. The puzzle is that it rolls backwards without problem but locks both tires completly when rolling forward. I had to have a flatbed come pick it up.
 
this was just to tow it home. I tried to pick it up on a tow dolly but with the rear tires locking up i was unable to do so.
 
Ok, well that elminates a drive shaft issue, ...., so based on what you said, I would say something internal in the axle or diff. If it is the brakes locked up, I would think that would affect it the same forward or backward.
 
manhunter said:
Ok, well that elminates a drive shaft issue, ...., so based on what you said, I would say something internal in the axle or diff. If it is the brakes locked up, I would think that would affect it the same forward or backward.
Click to expand...

Not really, I've had this problem, not in a 4runner tho' but in Nissan almera. Where the brake pads were lose and "locked" the wheel when pushin forward, but did rotate backwards. Needless to say I had to go in reverse for few miles before finding a suitable place to park the car!!!

But I'd suspect the rear differential to be broken or damaged.
 
Try lifting only one rear tire off the ground and spinning it. I'm thinking seized parking brake if it only moves in reverse direction. If it doesn't move at all then I'm thinking differential.
 
drewinator said:
Well i just bought another 4runner. My first was a 98. This one is a 94

Here is a weird problem it has (the reason i got it cheap) The rear end is locked up when you try and move the truck forwards. I have pulled the drive shaft to eliminate a transfer case problem. And the truck rolls perfect in reverse. I just wanted to hear any thoughts on the problem. I haven't torn into it yet but was just looking for ideas. Someone mentioned dragging or stuck brake pads but i'm not sure if this would cause the rolling problem moving forward and not backwards.
Very odd problem i've never quite seen somethign like this before.
Thanks all.
Click to expand...

my '94 4x4 pickup did the same thing it was a frozen ebrake.
 
pinion gear bolt

Years ago I had a homemade sandbuggy, I know nothing like a 4Runner. The rear differential locked up just as you describe. When we took the cover off, one of the nuts on one of the bolts on the pinion gear had slipped out of place, the buggy would roll backwards but not forward, the bolt would catch on the lip of the housing going foward and it would slip past going backwards..............Just a thought......hope it helps
 
Ok here's a little update. lifted up the back and if i spin the tires idependent of each other they go either way forwards or back (but of course oposite direction of each other) Then if i freeze on side and try and rotate the oposite side it will turn in reverse but not forward. Also when i look down at the differential yoke (i think that is what we are calling where the drive shafts hooks to the differential) it will spin freely when you spin the tire in reverse but as you turn the tire forward you can see the shaft pop a little outward then something catches. So there is something definatly wrong inside. like something is slipping out of place. I will be opening it up here soon. Anyone have a good docs on the inside of the differential?
 
well i got it ripped apart today.....WOW it is crazy in there! Here is what is happening. The drive pinion is moving to far aft and is coming in contact with part of the ring gear. There are a few scars in the smooth area of the ring gear but no damage to the gear itself. So my question is.....what keeps it from moving too far aft? are there some shimming washers in there that i need to move from one side to another?
 
well i went out today and took a much closer look inside the differential. It looks like i just need to swap it out. So now i just need to make sure i get the same thing to put in there. So i'm off to research differentials and gearing etc.
 
So the code on the door reads G254 so that means 4.556 4 pinion open diff

I don't see any paint on the yoke to double check that.
I've found one for sale but the guy is saying it is a 456 ratio. Is he just rounding the 4.556 up?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 203 (members: 1, guests: 202)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,045
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top