GU stuck in low range

[Gabe]

I went for a 4by today and when it was time to get back on the road I couldn't seem to get it out of 4 low, it just kept crunching when I was trying to take it out, I ended up driving it to a side road and turned the car off and let it sit for a minute and took it out while the car was off and when I started the car and drove it again it was back to normal, anyone else had this problem before that can help me out as to what to look at cos i'm still pretty new to this, cheers

[threedogs]

Drive backwards and unwind it

[Gabe]

Tried that a few times and didn't do anything....

[megatexture]

put it in neutral and then go 2h then reverse a bit, sometimes a sharp stab on the accelerator can help

dont know about manuals but are you pushing down on the stick?

[Sir Roofy]

where you in auto lock or manual if you take it out of manual first it will come out easy
if not back up a tad that should do it and push the stumpy stick down as well

[Gabe]

It's an automatic and was in auto lock, was doing everything you guys have suggested and did nothing, would it be worth checking the oil?

[Alitis007]

Check the transfer case oil level and have a look at the transfer case gear linkage to see for signs of wear

[Gabe]

Cheers, i'll have a look tomorrow after work

[happygu]

If you leave in 4WD and do tight turns on a hard surface, you will get transmission wind up...that is the only time I have ever had difficulty moving the short gear lever.....

Mic

[megatexture]

so you dont have to drive it on the road tomorrow?

[Gabe]

I did need to drive it today, I got it out of low range yesterday i just wanted to know peoples thoughts as to why it did it and what to do etc to stop it happening again....

[Cuppa]

I did need to drive it today, I got it out of low range yesterday i just wanted to know peoples thoughts as to why it did it and what to do etc to stop it happening again....

So what did you do different to get it out of low range?

[alexx]

this happens also to manuals when bearings in the transfercase frontdrives are worn out. at initial wearing, you may not hear anything odd. consult a mechanic to check them or you try hold the propeler for loose fit. you cant wiggle it if bearings are good.

[04OFF]

Please confirm you know the vehicle must be stationary and not in drive/gear when switching to and from low range 4wd.

The first time you tryed, did you actually slow the car to a dead stop, put the T-bar/auto transmission shifter into neutral, before moving from low range ?

[Jock]

I have a 2010 auto and I had the same issue. Nissan dealer told me it was common to all 4x4. Driving in reverse unbinds. This issue was highlighted some time back on Simon Christies 4x4 show on TV. Dealer also told me you need to be firm pushing down and quick when moving transfer lever.

Cheers

[Gabe]

I was at a dead stop and in neutral, every time i tried to get it out either quick or slow it was just crunching, as soon as i turned the car off and let it sit i took it out then and when i started it again it was back to normal, and yes i was pushing the stick down too.

[04OFF]

Bugger, that does not sound good then mate !

[macca]

Bit confused, was it stuck in low range or wouldnt go into high? There is a neutral in between high & low.
If it crunched gears going into high I would suggest the main gearbox had not been in neutral, spinning the out-put shaft (in-put shaft in transfer case) therefore rattling teeth.

Try it in park that should stop all shafts rotating and stationary of course.

[Gabe]

Sorry i'll try and explain it better, i was in neutral and it was crunching while i was trying to get it into 4H so i could get it into 2H, when i finally got it onto 2H it was driving the same as it was in 4L, it was only after i tried reversing backwards etc that i turned the car off and put it into 2H and restarted the car that it drove normal again, hope that makes sense

[macca]

Maaate, if this is the case "when i finally got it onto 2H it was driving the same as it was in 4L" there is something seriously wrong in the transfer case. Does not sound good.

[Gabe]

Haven't had a chance to look at it yet but ill check the oil and gear linkage and try again, hopefully it was just a one off... ;)

[flemj]

Hi Guys,

I have found that if you get a bit of wind up, putting it in reverse and driving backwards doesn't always help. But if drive in reverse in a figure 8 it will take the pressure off especially on a loose surface such as a grassed area.

John

[whastie]

Hi Gabe - Also have a GU and find I need to put in reverse for short period at times (only a few meters) and problems soughted.
Hope that helps.

Regards
Wayne