problem shifting into 4wd, and steering problem

[CraZ4Tercels]

Re: shifting into 4wd and steering problems
Sent: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:44 am
by CraZ4Tercels

Your suggestions are much appreciated--the gear ratio test sounds like something I can do! I'll need to have a real mechanic look at the suspension.

Okay, I'll read some more and learn how to get to the main forum. Not even sure how I got here! But it was my first message/question on a chat group.
thanks again!
CraZ4Tercels

Quote Petros
Re: shifting into 4wd and steering problems
Sent: Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:17 am
by Petros

sounds like two separate issues: make sure you have all four tiers (or tyers?) are the same size and are inflated the same. If the shift problem still presists you may have had the previous owner swap out the wrong trans/front diff with the rear. there are two different gear ratios in the diffs depending on the years and many times people replace the trans with the wrong gear ratio. easy to check for that, jack up both front and back wheels on one side of car, with trans in 4wd, mark tires with caulk and rotate one wheel ten times and count how many other wheel goes around. they should match.

other issue is is you have something loose in teh suspention, likely the donut bushings at the end of the front anti-sway bar where it attaches to the lower arm on the suspention. could also be other bushings as well, so check all of them, plus tie-rod ends, steering rack for play, ball joints and upper strut mount. on that side.

did you post these questions in the forum? I did not see them, looks like it was sent to me via private message. try posting it in a new thread to get everyone else's ideas too. they may think of something I did not.

good luck.

From CraZ4Tercels Subject: shifting into 4wd and steering problems
Sent: Fri Dec 07, 2012 7:10 pm
by CraZ4Tercels
Hi folks,
Yes, another newbie with problems (thanks for your forum!)
#1: '83 Tercel sw hard to shift into 4wd and then wants to pop out
#2: same car, while downshifting has a steering wheel tug to the right
Any ideas??

[dlb]

hi craz4tercels. i agree with petros about checking tire size and inflation, and checking for matching transaxle and rear diff. first off though, make sure you pull the 4wd shifter all the way back to engage 4wd. sometimes the shifter can sit halfway and in that case, yes, it can want to jump out of 4wd. usually it's smooth but sometimes (more so when the car is moving) it can put up a small fight.

petros gave good advice on the suspension, particularly the sway bay to control arm bushings. that area is an achilles heel on these cars and should be inspected ASAP because the area traps moisture, rusts, and gets worn away until the sway bar snaps. that's really bad and you don't want it. here's a thread on how to check that.

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7481

i would recommend getting a decent set of tools and learning to do a lot of this stuff yourself, if you have the time. with cars this old, many parts can go at any time and although the parts may be cheap, the cost of the labour will kill you if you take it to a shop every time.

is your tercel new to you? if so, you might want to check out the FAQ for some good first time owner info. here's the link.

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7442

[CraZ4Tercels]

Thanks for the links, and suggestions dlb... I'll spend some time researching these leads in the morning...

[keith]

A pull in one direction while downshifting AND decelerating (aka vacuum breaking or commonly but erroneously called compression braking) can be a sign of a bad motor mount or transmission mount.

[CraZ4Tercels]

Thanks for the suggestion... we're also working on getting slightly used studded tires on it, now that it has finally snowed in w. MT. I'll see what the mounts look like...