Forum:
A few weeks ago I noticed quite a bit of rear wheel tyre noise when going around sharp bends. That is now much worse and the rear wheels appear to lock when going around a sharp bend, i.e. with steering on near or full lock. Rubber is getting deposited on my concrete drive and when turning on the gravel entrance to my house, I can't seem to get any grip. Is this a diff problem? Is it common and is it likely to be an expensive repair job? The setting of the overdrive switch doesn't seem to make any difference. Could this have anything to do with the problem? Many thanks for your opinions.
Sounds very much like it
Sounds very much like it could be the diff. I'm guessing the centre diff isn't locked via the dashboard button? I don't know if that would cause one wheel to lock but it might have something to do with it. Have you tried checking the oil levels in the rear diff and transfer box? There's instructions in the owners manual towards the back. I'd start with that and then see if you can give the 4x4 system a work out on a slippy surface like wet grass to find out what's happening without risking any breakages.
Re: Sounds very much like it
Thanks very much for your response Karlos.
Unfortunately my Diahatsu mechanic is on holiday until next week, but this evening I was driving though the village and the centre lock indicator turned itself on. I turned off the ignition and flicked the centre lock switch a couple of times and, whilst the indicator didn't come back on, the problem is still there. I'll try and get someone else to look at the oil levels. My cousin, who worked for Lotus until recently, reckoned I'd be OK on straightish roads for a few days providing I kept the speed to no more than 40 mph, half that on a winding road. (Unfortunately at 73 I'm too old to go crawling around under cars!) Many thanks.