[ET 4x4]

I lost control of my Pajero (1999 3.5 GLS LWB, blister vender petrol) on a bend while travelling a very slippery and muddy road near a town called Tonteldoos
I ended up in a very deep donga filled with bolders, just the roof of the vehicle stuck out.
The Pajero’s front right wheel (driver’s side) smacked into a boulder which ripped a hole in the tyre. Using the “donkey gear” I managed to reverse out of the donga. (What an awesome vehicle ).
Put the spare wheel on and travelled further.
However what I do notice from this unfortunate incident is that:
• when the Pajero’s is engaged into 4H or 4 HL etc the vehicle pulls to the left
• takes a long time to disengage to 2H
• there is no problem while in 2H
What could have been damaged??
• Could the front axle disconnect device, which disconnects the right hand side front side shaft from the diff when 2H is selected.?
• Is this a This is vacuum actuated?
• How can I check that the disconnect device works smoothly and that there are no vacuum leaks?
I would appreciate some thoughts and good advice on this mess.

Ettienne

[RoelfleRoux]

ET,
I'm a non-mechanic, so my advice is most probably not worth much.

If it was my car I would do the following (in no specific order):
1)Have a decent four wheel allignment done.
2)Check the oil levels in the drive train.
3)Get the car on a highlift jack/elevator and really check the underside for visible damage.
4)The 4x4 system is actuated by vacuum, so one should pay extra attention to the lines and switches when the car is on the lift.

Sorry about your mishap, but yes, these cars are really robust and reliable!

[SimonB]

I would suggest that you have a damaged left front sideshaft. The fact that it seems OK in 2H means the steering should be OK but you will need to have the realignment done anyway.

[4ePikanini]

the transfer lever activates mechanical power to the front driveshaft.

The left hand front sideshaft is always connected to the diff.

The right hand front sideshaft is connected to the diff via the vacuum actuator ( you will see it looks like a diaphragm with 2 vacuum lines attached to it )

The actuator has a sensor and the gearbox has a sensor.

If the both sensors pickup 4wd then all 4 lights on the dash illuminate.

If only one picks up 4wd then you have the front lights flashing on the dash.

[ET 4x4]

Thanks to you all for your opinions. Would any of know of a place in the Randburg or Pretoria area where I can have it checked out

[HBannink]

It might seem a bit more involved than just alighnment. The fact that it pulls left when the front wheels are driving could indicate damag to the lower suspension arm on the right side and I would suggest that you have a look at that first. When being "pushed" the wheels will tend to center themselves but the minute they star drawing the vehicle the right side moves further forward than it should and thereby steering the car into the left. I hope my theory is wrong and that it is just alighnment but it has happened to me too often to disregard