Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

sparky · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 6 Location: North Lincs

Hi folks. New to this, but am desparate. My 1996 3.1td Trooper is my pride and joy. Tows my van, takes us on holiday, and gets the wife to work in the snow (she's scared to drive in anything deeper than 1 inch !).
My Trooper is wonderful in 2wd but as soon as 4wd is engaged, the whole car judders. It doesnt increase in loudness or ferocity, it just increases with road speed. Listening out the window has also revealed a slight knocking noise from under the car.
Ive took the car to my local garage who say it is either transfer box or drive shafts. I think it is the U/J's on the shafts but I'm not a mechanic !
No-one (not even local dealers) want to touch the car and no-one seems to be able to offer any advice. Sad

With winter coming, I would like my 4wd working (its why you buy a 4wd car after all !). Rolling Eyes

Can anyone offer some sound advice or point me in direction of a garage in North Lincolnshire who know what they are talking about ?
Many thanks for your replies.

Google · Sponsor

DYLAN · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 17:11 Post subject:

I'm no expert but when you say road i dont know if 4wd should be engaged in normal conditions on a road, I think it buggers the dif up. you will get plenty of answers soon don't worry... Very Happy

Chris B · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 17:25 Post subject:

Hi Sparky! Welcome to the world of ITOC...

As Dylan said ... DO NOT use your 4WD on firm surfaces as the trooper is not fitted with a central diff and any sllight difference in wheel sizes, the effects of cornering etc "wind up" the transmission and can cause components to fail Shocked

Hope this answers your questions!

ChrisB
_________________
Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE | 265/65R18 BF Goodrich AT LTM No.60

sparky · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 6 Location: North Lincs

Have never used 4wd on the road. Used it a couple of times in mud to pull caravan free though Laughing

Mainly gets used in snow and ice as they dont grit the roads round these parts Very Happy

Was testing it on straight stretch of road as we have had a few floods recently when noticed it (like to be sure it works before REAL nasty weather hits).
Didnt notice it when pulling caravan free, but then had kids bickering, wife moaning and trying to concentrate on van !!! Evil or Very Mad

Have had all 4 wheels off ground and 'un-wound' the transmission as this was my first worry but it has not helped.

markymoan · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 17:33 Post subject:

What they have said, never use 4wd on a surface that has grip Shocked

_________________

markymoan · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 17:36 Post subject:

It could be a busted auto hub
_________________

sparky · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 6 Location: North Lincs

Mechanic at garage thinks that its drivers side front hub or drive shaft cos thats where the noise is coming from.
But that is also the closest wheel to the window which he was hanging his head out of Confused

I was under the impression these machines only engaged the front wheels when in 4wd so that surely defines the area where any decent mechanic should look for a fault. Confused

There is nothing 'mechanical' about the sound. Its like driving over a rumble strip when coming off the motorway.
Think I need to get someone underneath it whilst I'm driving it Twisted Evil

Can think of a few people Wink

markymoan · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 17:50 Post subject:

A decent mechanic would take the auto hubs off and check them Smile

When they are worn they make a grumble noise, and only take 2 mins to take off and check Very Happy

_________________

sparky · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 6 Location: North Lincs

Think its worse than hub. But get suspicion that local garage hasnt worked on one of these before. Exclamation

Spent the last week phoning all local garages in area (even so-called 4x4 specialist) and been to see a couple of them, but they all scratch their heads or say they wouldnt know where to start.
These are bloody good cars, but finding someone who knows about them is ridiculous Shocked

Think I will have to take it to garage and tell them what to do, but need help identifying problem first.

ian roby · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 20:39 Post subject:

take it on a field and see if it does it
and you could try driving it up a grass slope in 4 wheel drive and get someone to stand outside to see if the 4x4 is working when the wheels start to spin

THE QUIET ONE · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 21:04 Post subject:

HI WELCOME TO ITOC
i had a simla prob so i spent a few hours under the motor armed with a grease gun and greased every nipple i could find (even end up doing mine Laughing

)
then went to a water logged field engaged 4wd HAY PRESTO then dissingaed went for a spin on the road in 2wd noise vibrate etc gone 8)
_________________

mk1 2.8 ex skippy
mu 3.1 xs turbo
bendy bus
SCUM RUN 2010

sparky · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 6 Location: North Lincs

Cheers for that !
I'll get my grease gun and head for the fields Twisted Evil

sparky · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 6 Location: North Lincs

Sorry to be so long in replying but after doing everything suggested, it still made the same bloody noise. Mad

Ended up taking it to a garage outside Doncaster who took 8 DAYS to find that the front prop-shaft had a knackered universal joint.
Found a recon prop-shaft for 70 quid and it took 2 hours to change.
Went for a drive and wahey Very Happy

Problem sorted Wink

If anyone else has a noisy 4wd system then get underneath and heave on every joint in the drive train. If it clicks, check it Exclamation

It may be worth noting that the prop-shaft passed an MOT test whilst knackered Confused

Many thanks for all your replies,
Sparky