Is 4WD Really working?

[Dumpexec]

Hello all and thanks in anticipation of solving my problem,

I bought an X (2002 XE) a couple of months ago with almost 100K miles already on the ODO. I bought this car off a friend specifically to move across sandy shorelines since i work along these shores. To my surprise, anytime i drive in this terrain (with 4WD engaged), i always get stuck and always needs a tug from other 4WD jeeps/suvs. All these nice people always continue to ask if i had $WD engaged but i tell them that i do! 1)How can i test if 4WD is really engaged on my X? (ps: the indicator light always com on once i engage 4WD on the gear shift)

2) and how can i fix this problem?

[Desert Rat]

Do you friends tell you if a front wheel is spinning?

You have 4h and 4lo on your transfer case, and it's lever engaged, so there's no question there. I don't know your level of newbie to 4x4s, so I'll assume you're a novice. 4lo is a lower set of gears for low speed wheeling over difficult terrain, though there's no difference in engagement between 4hi and 4lo - both engage the front axle.

You have automatic hubs, meaning they engage automatically as soon as the axle shaft starts turning when the Tcase is shifted into 4wd. To disengage these hubs, shift back to 2wd and back up a few feet to keep the front axle from spinning in 2wd.

The quick way to ensure you're engaged is to shift into 4wd and pull forward a few feet. Jack up the front of the truck and turn a front wheel. The other front will turn in the opposite direction.

You can also leave the truck on hard ground and get under it and try to turn the front driveshaft by hand. It should rotate freely if in 2wd, but won't budge if in 4wd.

Your truck likely has open differentials, meaning the wheel with the least amount of traction is the one getting the power when you get stuck.

This is where lockers and limited slips come into play. The factory limited slip in an Xterra is all but worthless due to a very low breakaway torque setting.

[Dumpexec]

hello,

thanks for your analysis. As you have guessed, i am a newbie with 4x4s and the previous owner had said that he uses the 4WD often without any problems. On the two occasions i got stuck, i engaged 4HI the first time and then 4LO with my auto gear select in 2 the second time. on Both occations, i got stuck. Other Xterras (2001 and 2002 models) passed me by, on the same terrain As for the open differentials, i think you are right because the wheel that gets stuck usually spins more when i attempt to get myself out.

I will try out the test today and get back to you.

Thanks, once again

[hsckris]

One easy way to tell:

In gravel, dirt, grass (Not pavement, but not anything that'll get you stuck) put it in 4wd and crank the wheel all the way to one side. Try to drive. Your truck will sort of lug a bit if in 4wd, and you'll know if the front wheels are engaged or not.