How to disable the front axle on a Niva? We explain, show and give advice

December 29, 2015 Lada.Online 170 951 25

The manufacturer did not install a 4x4 transfer case with a switchable front axle on the Niva for a number of reasons, for example, to evenly distribute the load along the axles. But many SUV owners do not share this decision and try to make their car single-wheel drive. Do you know what uncoupling the front or rear axle of a VAZ 2121 does?

Installation of a disconnecting device

Disabling the front axle in the field does not cause any particular difficulties. A car enthusiast can produce it himself. The main thing is the sequence and accuracy of the actions: • You must first purchase the element to disable it.

    The floor covering is raised. The lever covers are carefully removed. The sensor terminal is disconnected. The lever switches to the “back” position. The transfer case is cleaned of dirt. The plug is unscrewed and the oil is drained. The front driveshaft is disconnected from the transfer case. The transfer case is dismantled. The nuts that secure the cover to the crankcase are unscrewed. The cover is removed and the coupling and shaft are dismantled. A new gasket is installed. The disconnecting element is installed in the vacant space.

• Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

You can watch the video at the bottom of the page for more details.

After completing the process, experts recommend checking the oil level in the transmission.

Using the front axle disconnect mechanism, the driver is able to switch operating modes of the car from the passenger compartment in a couple of seconds. You don't have to stop to perform the manipulation. Switching occurs even at high speed. This is quite convenient because, depending on the current situation, the car owner assesses the risks and quickly makes the right decision.

Bridge disconnect mechanism

Engineers specifically developed a block for this purpose that removes torque from the front drive driveshaft, thereby disabling the front axle. This unit is not installed at the factory, but if desired, you can install it yourself. This device is controlled from the cabin, thanks to levers that control the transfer case. Most drivers disable it by removing the front driveshaft, and some even remove the rear driveshaft, thereby making the Niva front-wheel drive. This method is of course not prohibited, but it can lead to failure of such elements as:

  • Transfer case supports
  • Output shaft bearing
  • Cardan

Therefore, it is best if you install a special block, thanks to which disconnecting and disconnecting the axles will be problem-free and thereby eliminate the occurrence of negative consequences by completely removing the front or rear cardan. This block is a clutch that connects the front cardan and gearbox in the transfer case and is controlled by levers located next to the gearbox.

Recommendations

Experts recommend using the shift mechanism only when driving on asphalt roads, where the use of all-wheel drive is not necessary. You need to connect it when driving over rough terrain or in difficult weather conditions. Otherwise, the Niva runs the risk of getting into an accident or simply getting stuck in the mud.

Conclusion Nowadays, many foreign SUVs are equipped with a switching device at the factory. This is becoming a widespread phenomenon not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders.

How to disable the front axle on a field: 1 comment

Yes, this was invented to squeeze out money. I drove 3 Nivas in 40 years and saw who removed the front driveshaft in order to disconnect the axle. A year later, I changed the rear one.

The Niva car became the first Soviet SUV to use an all-wheel drive transmission. A characteristic feature of the car is the center differential locking mechanism. There is an opinion among motorists that this mechanism serves to connect the front axle. However, the front-wheel drive Niva is always connected. You can figure out what drive the Niva has after studying the design of this unit.

Some features of shutdown

How to disable the front axle on a Niva? Let's analyze once again what disabling the front axle can entail. Even on a perfectly flat road with dry asphalt, driving a car becomes more difficult, since the car becomes rear-wheel drive when the front axle is disconnected.

Moreover, when the front-wheel drive is turned off, it becomes difficult to maneuver the car, including turning, which is not the case when both axles are operating simultaneously. A significant disadvantage of disconnecting the front axle is also the increase in the braking distance of the Niva.

An important point is that in almost all modifications of Niva cars, the gearboxes of both axles are designed based on the prototype of the rear axle of the first VAZ model. And since the Niva is significantly heavier than a penny, when the front-wheel drive is turned off, there is a significant increase in the load on the rear axle, which exceeds the permissible design standards.

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However, there are also positive aspects when installing a front-wheel drive disconnect device. It lies in the fact that the all-wheel drive vehicle always remains, since the axle can be switched on and off if necessary. Moreover, switching the operating modes of the front axle is carried out from inside the car and does not take more than two seconds. Moreover, this can be done on the go, without stopping the car.

If the Niva is driven on city roads, as well as on a country highway or on a highway, the vehicle’s response is increased and fuel consumption is significantly reduced. In addition, the front-wheel drive gearbox wears out much less.

Niva drive device

The chassis of the car is made on the principle of permanent all-wheel drive - torque from the power unit is transmitted to all 4 wheels. This scheme improves the performance of the car when driving in off-road conditions, while simultaneously reducing the load on transmission parts.

The Chevrolet Niva drive consists of the following components:

  1. Gearbox.
  2. Transfer case.
  3. A pair of drive and cardan shafts.
  4. Front and rear axle gearboxes.

The transfer case is designed to distribute torque between the drive axles of the vehicle. The car is equipped with a two-speed transfer case, which provides:

  • stable running of the machine when driving at low speed and at high engine speeds;
  • power distribution between drive axles, depending on road grip.

The differential is one of the most important elements of the transmission. Its main purpose is to distribute traction force, and, if necessary, ensure rotation of two consumers at different angular speeds. The Chevrolet Niva drive transmission has three differentials:

  1. One for each axle (inter-wheel) - they allow the wheels of the same axle to rotate at different speeds.
  2. The third (interaxle action) - transmits power from the power unit to both axles of the vehicle. It also allows the shafts to operate at different angular speeds, depending on operating conditions, which significantly improves controllability.

A pair of cardan shafts (CV joint or cross design) provide connection between the transfer case and the drive axle gearboxes. Both car shafts have the same design - they are interchangeable.

The front and rear axles transmit force from the transfer case to the drive wheels through external and internal angular velocity joints.

Differential lock on a Chevrolet Niva: what it is for and how it works

The Chevrolet Niva shows decent results both in urban conditions and off-road.
The latter is not surprising, since the model is made according to an off-road layout, that is, it has permanent all-wheel drive, a transfer case and a locking center and cross-axle differential. Drivers of ordinary passenger cars with single-axle drive often find it unclear how the differential lock works on a Chevrolet Niva and other SUVs. Another feature of the Chevy Niva is the presence of a transfer case, which is also not available on single-wheel drive vehicles. Its main purpose is the redistribution of traction force when transmitting torque from the engine to the wheels.

The principle of operation of all-wheel drive on a Chevrolet Niva

In normal mode, the Chevrolet Niva operates in high gear with the differential unlocked. Torque is transmitted from the power unit, through the gearbox and intermediate shaft, to a two-stage transfer case gearbox. A center differential is installed in the transfer case housing. It links the front and rear axles, allowing them to rotate at different speeds, depending on road conditions and direction of travel.

How does all-wheel drive work on a Niva with a locked differential?

When all-wheel drive is engaged, both cardan shafts are secured with a locking clutch. This promotes uniform transmission of traction force to both axles of the vehicle. Due to this, the vehicle's cross-country ability increases, but controllability deteriorates.

Advice: It is not recommended to use the lock mode on roads with good grip, as this will lead to accelerated tire wear, increased load on transmission parts and components, and will also increase fuel consumption.

Forced locking on Niva and Chevrolet Niva with pneumatic drive

  • Quick activation of the locking mechanism

To lock the differential, rotation of the wheel is required - this value does not exceed 11°, which has a positive effect on the speed of activation of the locking mechanism. For locks available on the market, activation occurs after rotating the wheel by 22.5°, so the IZH-TECHNO lock is 2 times faster than its analogues in terms of activation speed.

  • Full differential lock

When the driver presses the valve, the locking is activated 100%, which guarantees an increase in the off-road performance of the vehicle, as well as the durability of the locking mechanism.

  • Reliability and durability of the design

The differential housing has four satellites. This design has proven itself to be more reliable and durable compared to the stock one, which uses only two satellites.

  • The lock is interchangeable with the standard design

The forced differential lock of NIVA Lada 4×4 and Chevrolet Niva is installed in the gearbox instead of the factory differential with stock VAZ axle shafts. There is no need to purchase additional components.

  • All locking parts are made by IZH-TECHNO

All locking parts are made by IZH-TECHNO and have improved characteristics. In particular, to ensure the supply of oil to the contact patch of the satellite axis, special grooves are provided.

The pneumatic drive is hidden in the cavity of the bridge “nut”, which prevents its breakdown when crossing difficult off-road areas.

In order to install the IZH-TECHNO pneumatic blocking system on the Niva, there is no need to purchase specialized devices and spare parts, with the exception of a compressor and a receiver for connection to the pneumatic system. Installation does not require modification of the gearbox using an angle grinder and a welding machine.

The Niva pneumatic blocking system is universal: you can install it in RZM and RPM, it is suitable for all modifications of Niva and Chevrolet Niva cars. Available with 22 and 24 spline locks.

Applicability:

Factory diagram. The gearbox and differential housing were not replaced. The forced blocking is connected to the pneumatic system using a pneumatic hose with an internal diameter of 8 mm or a pneumatic Rilsan tube size 6/4. In aluminum RPM, forced locking is connected with a 4/2 pneumatic Rilsan tube.

We help with all our wheels

How to enable all-wheel drive on a Chevrolet Niva? There is an option to block the center differential of the Chevy Niva both when the car is stationary and when it is not moving.

This is done with the clutch pedal depressed using the transfer case control lever, which is located behind the huge gear selector. When the lever is in the neutral position, you need to pull it towards the driver. If you later press in the opposite direction, a lower gear will engage with the center differential locked at a ratio other than 3.5.1. If you pull towards yourself, a lower gear is put into effect (gear ratio 1.5).

When the lever is in this position, the corresponding yellowish pictogram lights up on the dashboard. Disabling the front axle on a Chevrolet Niva. four-wheel drive. How to disable. If you cannot follow these instructions, try repeating the procedure while driving the vehicle.

Why enable blocking?

An SUV is a car that is not afraid of difficulties. Chevy Niva is an all-wheel drive car. The presence of a lock allows it to become an even more powerful and reliable off-road friend. When you turn on the lock, those wheels that are easier to work with work.

When you turn on the lock

As a rule, both axles work at 50%, that is, one wheel on the front axle and one on the rear axle work.

For example, the question of how to use the transfer case on a Chevrolet Niva is relevant when your car begins to slip even when the lock is turned off. In this case, those wheels that are stuck are slipping and as a result they get buried even more. When the lock is turned on, those wheels that have not skidded begin to work and thereby pull the car out of the mud or ice surface.

Friends, tell me how to turn it on, I don’t understand, Niva current for one day! The drawings on the rk are drawn, well, I don’t understand anything.

Disabling the front axle in the field

Is it necessary to modify the VAZ 4×4 Niva

Cheviniva in 4x2 mode (
disable all-wheel drive
), leaving only.

If the lock does not turn on using the specified method, do not use excessive force. How to disable the immobilizer on a VAZ. Just repeat the entire sequence of actions from the beginning.

Switching to a lower gear is also allowed without stopping the Niva completely, but this can only be done by experienced drivers. The fact is that the transfer case, unlike the gearbox, does not have synchronizers installed. Changing from a lower gear to a higher gear while the car is moving is undesirable, although it is allowed in extreme cases.

It is not recommended to keep the center differential of the wheels in locked mode at all times, especially when driving on asphalt roads, as this will not only lead to increased fuel consumption by the vehicle and poor handling, but also to the breakdown of expensive transmission components.

How to use all-wheel drive and transfer case on a Niva

Since we have already found out that when they ask the question “how to turn on 4VD on a Niva,” they actually mean how to turn on the center differential lock, let’s look at the instructions for using the transfer case.

For off-road conditions, Niv transfer cases have two options and two mechanisms. The first is a differential lock. The second is the reduction/increasing gear shaft.

On normal asphalt roads, an overdrive shaft is always used and the differential lock is turned off. This is the “normal” mode of operation of the car, when it should drive like any city car. How to install the levers correctly - read below in the section about the control of different Niva models.

The following modes are used off-road. A reduction gear without differential locking is needed when the car needs more traction - in sand, in mud, when driving downhill, when starting with a heavy trailer.

Shifting to a lower range of gears can only be done with the car stationary before starting to move through a difficult section or when driving at a speed of up to 5 km/h, because the Niva gearbox does not have synchronizers! But you can switch to a higher gear while the car is moving, with the clutch disengaged.

Blocking is used in the following cases - if the area becomes particularly difficult to pass and when a wheel slips/hangs on one of the axles. You can lock the differential while the car is moving, but before entering a difficult section of the road. Most often this function is used in conjunction with downshift. With overdrive, the locked differential can be used when driving on relatively flat sections of the road without asphalt.

Many sources write that you need to engage the differential lock when driving on slippery snow and ice. But there are no such recommendations in the user manual - they suggest, if necessary, using this function only if you are unable to move on such a surface. And “Behind the Wheel” journalists, during tests of the Chevrolet Niva, determined that on a slippery surface, the blocking only helps when driving downhill. During acceleration, this mode increases the risk of slipping, and in turns it worsens handling!

It is not recommended to make any shifts directly when the wheels are slipping. You should also not drive with the differential locked at speeds above 40 km/h . Including because such driving worsens the car's handling , increases fuel consumption and tire wear. And constant movement in this mode will generally lead to breakdown of mechanisms and transmission parts. Therefore, in all Niva cars and Chevrolet Niva, the all-wheel drive icon on the instrument panel lights up when the differential is locked. Even if you forgot to unlock it, the warning light will prompt you to correct the situation.

In practice, it can be very difficult to engage the differential lock. This happens because the coupling teeth of the units rest against the teeth of the gear. You should not apply force in such a situation - you can simply break the lever or mechanism! Such “sticking” is not a sign of a breakdown, but normal operation of the transfer case. This is a purely mechanical unit that works this way.

According to the instructions, the Niva differential lock at speeds up to 5 km/h , while pressing/squeezing the clutch twice. But the practice of car owners shows that it will be more effective to do this not while driving in a straight line, but by making a non-sharp turn. When the wheels are turned, the locking lever is easily engaged. A similar problem may occur with turning off the lock. The method is the same, but moving backwards with a slight turn of the steering wheel will be more effective.

When to use a differential lock

The Chevrolet Niva has high cross-country ability in all types of off-road and mountainous terrain. Many of them can be easily overcome with a locked differential. This driving mode is recommended:

  • on roads with reduced cross-country ability;
  • on steep ascents and descents;
  • when moving on dry (loose) sandy surfaces;
  • when driving on ice, deep snow or crust.

As a conclusion, the plot “How to turn on all-wheel drive”

on a Chevrolet Niva: diagram and video instructions.” By the way, it is recommended to lock the car at least once a week, especially in winter.

There is a special offer on our website. How to Disable All Wheel Drive on a Chevrolet Niva

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