Permanent all-wheel drive Lada 4x4 and Chevrolet Niva: design and operating principle

Rate this post

Lada 4×4 is a full-fledged SUV from the domestic automobile industry, which began to be produced back in the 70s of the last century. This car has become a faithful companion for lovers of off-road travel; it attracts with its affordable price, unpretentiousness and compact size. The follower of the Lada4×4 was the Chevrolet Niva; it is still assembled at the plant in Tolyatti. It features a more modern interior and exterior, but retains excellent cross-country ability and all-wheel drive transmission. Let's look at how the Lada 4×4 and Chevrolet Niva all-wheel drive is designed and how it behaves in different road conditions.

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:

Gearbox.
Transfer case.
A pair of drive and cardan shafts.
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:

One for each axle (interwheel) - enable the wheels of the same axle to rotate at different speeds.
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.

Design and diagram of the Chevrolet Niva transmission

The Chevrolet Niva transmission, in terms of operating principle and architecture, completely replicates the donor car, the VAZ 2121 and its modification, the VAZ 21213. This means that the drive is carried out to all four wheels constantly, without the possibility of disabling the front axle. The design provides a number of reduction gears, as well as a manually lockable center differential.

The main elements of the transmission are as follows:

dry single-plate clutch;
five-speed gearbox;
intermediate shaft;
transfer case;
2 cardan shafts driving the front and rear axles;
front split axle with a gearbox separately mounted on the load-bearing frame;
continuous, solid rear axle with integrated gearbox and differential, as in classic Tolyatti models.

The transmission structure is shown in the drawing and it is no different from most SUVs with permanent all-wheel drive, as well as the operating principle.

Torque is transmitted from the engine crankshaft through a dry single-plate clutch to the gearbox input shaft. Next, the torque enters through the reduction gears in the box and is transmitted through the output shaft to the transfer case, where it is evenly distributed between the drive axles. The stock Chevrolet Niva does not have a power take-off shaft, which can be used to transmit rotation to the winch.

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.

Nivov transmission units

The developed Niva transmission turned out to be so successful and efficient that it later became a prototype for the Vitara. This made the new model more adaptable to difficult roads. Niva transmission units can easily meet the requirements of any engine up to 2 liters, so if you want to upgrade, think about the fact that each car has its own capabilities. Many advantages are due precisely to the circuit and design of the transmission.

Niva transmission and its components:

front-wheel drive;
front axle;
wheel grip;
manual transmission;
driveshaft (front);
shaft (intermediate);
transfer case;
shift lever;
center differential and locking lever;
wheel differentials;
driveshaft (rear);
rear axle;
rear drive.

The design implies the following states:

unlocked differential;
locked differential;
low gear when engaged;
neutral position;
top gear engaged.

How to turn on all-wheel drive

Since the drive on the Niva is constantly all-wheel drive, the question of how to turn on the all-wheel drive on the Niva Chevrolet means how to turn on the center differential lock.

You need to use blocking in the following cases:

when driving in difficult terrain where there is a danger of wheel slipping;
when there is a lack of engine thrust;
when driving on a road covered with snow or ice.

Important: Blocking is useless when the car is hung diagonally, when one wheel on different axles begins to slip. This is due to the design feature of the transmission. In this case, you need to act according to the situation - dig up or pour under the hanging wheels.

The main component of the axle locking mechanism is the transfer case. The transfer case is controlled by one six-position lever. The longitudinal stroke provides higher and lower gear rows. Transverse - responsible for locking the center differential. When the lever is in lock mode, a yellow icon lights up on the instrument panel. There are no synchronizers in the design of the transfer case, therefore, when you try to engage the speed range or lock, the gears clash tooth to tooth. To switch, you just need to move the car forward or backward and then everything will switch.

Recently, SUVs and crossovers with all-wheel drive have become very popular. If previously preference was given only to cars with high ground clearance, now the presence of a 4x4 transmission is a priority.

But such technology can be implemented in completely different ways; let’s look at the structural features of the center lock and clutch on a Chevrolet Niva car.

Gear Modes

Let's take a closer look at how to use the transfer case on a Chevrolet Niva. It serves to switch to a lower gear and also blocks the center differential; this can be done at the same time. In order to engage a lower gear, you need to shift the lever to the right and up; to lock the lever, you need to pull it to the left all the way. The handle has the following designation:

Low(L) - decrease;
N-neutral;
High(H) - normal, increased.

Low gear is engaged at a speed of no more than 5 kilometers per hour, or after a complete stop. In order to overcome a steep climb, or when driving where there is soft ground, so that the vehicle speed is minimal and at the same time stable, a lower gear must be engaged in advance. For example, if you are driving on a flat road in second or third gear, and a bad section of road appears in front of you, you need to stop and shift to a lower gear.

It is not recommended to turn on the center differential at high speed, since the car may skid strongly at the moment of switching. It is advisable to block where there is a slippery surface and the wheels begin to slip.

These include:

Switching the transfer case should only be done when the car is not moving.
You can also engage the differential while the vehicle is moving.
You can switch to a lower gear while the car is moving.
To ensure long-term and uninterrupted operation of the differential, it is necessary to periodically turn it on, especially in winter. This should be done once every 7 days.

Among domestic car enthusiasts, the Chevrolet Niva is a fairly popular SUV that appeals not only to fans of extreme driving, but also to fans of measured driving outside the city. Many people know that one of the features of a car of this brand is the presence of a transfer case in it.

Using this unit, you can enable downshifting, locking, or two functions at the same time, depending on the conditions. The question of how the Niva Chevrolet transfer case should be used correctly is of interest to many happy owners of such a vehicle and those who only intend to purchase it.

It should be immediately noted that you can engage both the lock and the transmission at the same time using the Chevrolet lever that changes gears. So, the lever shifts to the right, and then immediately up to engage a lower gear. To switch back to higher, the lever should simply be moved back.

Using a Niva Chevrolet transfer case, in addition to the above, neutral gear is also engaged, while the car will remain reliably in one place. The lock can be engaged at any time - in normal gear, in low gear - just switch the Chevrolet lever to the left.

This mechanism can operate in five modes:

Neutral is on.
The differential is unlocked when the "lowering" is turned off. In this case, the torque is distributed in a ratio of one to two.
The differential is locked when overdrive is engaged. Here, torque distribution is carried out automatically, depending on the quality of wheel grip on the road.
Downshift is engaged and the differential lock is disabled. The transfer of forces occurs in the same ratio as in the first case.
The differential is locked and the gearbox is engaged. In this case, all axles are rigidly locked together, including the axle shafts. Torque is produced unevenly, depending on the type of road surface (dirt, sand, etc.). In this mode of operation, the best cross-country ability of the vehicle is achieved. But driving with a constantly engaged downshift and with locks will not work. This increases the load on the transfer case bearings. The Chevrolet Niva will soon require serious intervention in the transmission. Fuel consumption also increases significantly, which greatly eats up the tires.

Drive device.

The classic Niva 2121 became the first Russian SUV to be equipped with an all-wheel drive transmission. Among the main features of this transmission was the ability to lock the center differential. Many people mistakenly believe that this unit is necessary to connect the front axle. But in reality, the front axle is always in the connected position. Let's try to understand the design of the car in more detail.

The chassis of the car is designed in such a way that torque from the engine is transmitted through the gearbox to all 4 wheels at once. This operating scheme allows you to show the best performance when moving off-road, while at the same time significantly reducing the cost of the main parts.

Main transmission components:

Gear box,
Razdatka,
Drives and cardan shafts,
Front and rear gearboxes.

It is the transfer case in the car that is responsible for distributing torque between the axles. On the Chevrolet Niva it is two-speed and its presence provides the following advantages:

Smooth vehicle movement at low speeds at high engine speeds.
Distribution of forces between the axles of the car depending on specific road conditions.

The differential is necessary to distribute traction forces. In practice, this allows two wheels to rotate on the same axis at different speeds. The Chevrolet Niva has 3 differentials, which allows each wheel to have its own angular velocity.

Cardan shafts are necessary to connect transfer cases and axle gearboxes. Chevrolet Niva shafts have one interesting feature: they have exactly the same design, as a result of which they are interchangeable and if one of them fails, if necessary, you can sacrifice all-wheel drive, but get to the nearest service station yourself.

The axles are equipped with internal hinges that transmit force from the transfer case to the drive wheels.

Features and malfunctions of the transfer case

The Chevrolet Niva transfer case not only moved back by 250 mm, but also changed the installation angle by 4 degrees. Chevrolet engineers calculated that this angle would be optimal for the operation of driveshaft joints. The design of the transfer case uses small-module, low-noise gears, so the howling of the transfer case, as on the old Niva, is now completely eliminated.

Another common malfunction of the transfer case on old Nivas was vibration. On Chevrolet, this issue has been practically resolved by installing new pillows and the appearance of a third attachment point. This will eliminate not only operational vibrations and noise, but also the likelihood of incorrect installation of the transfer case after repair, prevention or troubleshooting.

There is another malfunction that few people think about, however, this problem is related to the resource and endurance of constant velocity joints. The fact is that a cermet valve is installed directly under the CV joint boot mounting clamp. Its task is to compensate for excess pressure inside the cover, thereby protecting it from rupture, and the CV joint itself from water and dirt. If you monitor the performance of the cermet valve during repairs or replacement of hinges, the boot will last a long time and will reliably protect the CV joint.

Even such a complex system as the Chevrolet Niva transmission can be succinctly described in an accessible way. Each owner is required to know the basic principles of operation of the systems of his car.

Operating principle of the drive.

By default, the SUV uses high gear with the center differential disabled. The engine transmits force to the gearbox, which is fed through the shaft to the transfer case gearbox. The transfer case contains a center differential, which connects the front and rear axles.

How does all-wheel drive work on a Chevrolet Niva if the differential is locked.

If you turn on all-wheel drive on the Niva, the cardan shafts will be blocked using a special clutch. In this case, there will be an even distribution of torque between the axles. The vehicle's cross-country ability will increase significantly, but at the same time, handling will become slightly worse.

Differential locking

Sometimes you can come across a misconception about why a small handle is needed next to the shift lever on a Niva. Some car owners believe that it is needed to connect front-wheel drive. However, the front-wheel drive of this car is permanently connected. As is the rear one. Cars of the Niva family have permanent all-wheel drive. The handle actually serves to switch the operating modes of the differential of the transfer mechanism.

In the “forward” position, the differential operates as usual, but if you move it back, the differential is locked, and the forces from the motor are applied to the differentials of the axles, which makes the drive more rigid. It is worth noting that there are also special types of locks for front and rear axles.

In theory, when used in conditions where the car is stuck, it will be able to overcome the obstacle if there is sufficient traction on at least one wheel. In this case, it is better to lock the differential before overcoming an obstacle, but never after entering an area that is difficult to overcome. This application of locking will avoid wear and damage to the transmission.

Turning on all-wheel drive.

The use of blocking will be justified in the following cases:

If there is a possibility of wheel slipping, in areas with poor surface conditions,
If there is a lack of engine thrust at high speeds,
When driving on roads with loose surfaces, snow, ice.

You should also take into account some features of the Chevrolet Niva, namely, the helplessness of the transmission when hanging diagonally. In this mode, the wheels begin to spin, so if necessary, you need to dig under the wheel or make an embankment under the raised axle.

External CV joint Niva, history

The main difference that the owner of a Niva or Chevrolet Niva should know. CV joints come in 22 or 24 splines, for cars with and without ABS. Grenades with 22 slots were installed mainly on carburetor fields. With the transition to injection and restyling in 2008, they were no longer produced. Then there are only 24 slots. The 22 slot grenades had two serious advantages. They were smaller in diameter and, as a result, there was more “meat” on the hub. Such a breakdown as a hat breaking off on the hub almost never happened. Second point. Old fields were exported to Europe in fairly large quantities, and there they spit on AvtoTAZ and made their own spare parts. I brought grenades from Loebro, SKF, GKN-Spidan, GLO - all of these are high-class manufacturers in the field of drives and CV joints. Unfortunately, none of these companies makes CV joints for 24-spline fields. There are a lot of bright boxes on the market, but most of them are brands made only for Russia. In the future we will only talk about CV joints with 24 splines.

Design features of all-wheel drive Lada 4×4

The Niva transmission has three differentials: two interwheel and one interaxle. This allows the wheels and axles to rotate at different speeds depending on road conditions. When moving uniformly on a flat surface, the force between the wheels is distributed evenly, but when any wheel slips, the rotational motion is redistributed so that the car can continue moving. Under normal road conditions, the vehicle is driven with the differential unlocked.

The presence of a center differential allows you to enjoy all the benefits of all-wheel drive in any road conditions. Cars with rigidly connected all-wheel drive can only be used in single-wheel drive mode on surfaces that do not imply wheel slipping.

The SUV's drive includes a gearbox, transfer case, front and rear drive and cardan shafts, front and rear gearboxes. Two-speed transfer case. Thanks to this, the car can move stably at low speeds at high engine speeds, and also correctly distribute torque under different road conditions.

The front and rear shafts of the vehicle have the same design and are interchangeable. If one of them fails, you can sacrifice all-wheel drive and easily get to the car service center.

Modified versions

The Niva's standard transmission, for all its advantages, often causes uncomfortable noise in the cabin. This is generally related to the design, but using engineering developments, you can modernize it and make the car much quieter.

This approach has already been applied in VAZ-21213 cars; as a result, even at a speed of 100 km/h you don’t feel any unpleasant noise, you can talk calmly and hear your interlocutor without effort. For these purposes, a number of modernization methods have been used: from unloading the floor near the transfer case and manual transmission mounts, reducing the load on shaft bearings to smoothing out peak torques under conditions of increasing loads on the transmission.

The noise in the modernized Niva transmission is comparable to that of a Zhiguli. It becomes more comfortable to be in the car when driving off-road. Upgrade costs are negligible; modification requires only the master's understanding of the design itself and a little time.

How all-wheel drive works on Lada 4×4 and Chevrolet Niva

All-wheel drive on the Niva is permanent. Under normal road conditions, the vehicle drives with the differential unlocked. The differential lock must be turned on when driving on difficult terrain, snow, ice, mud, or when there is a high probability of wheel slipping. If one wheel on the front and rear axles is slipping, locking the differential will not solve the problem; only the suspended wheels will rotate.

The front and rear axles are controlled using a transfer case. The front lever is responsible for engaging the differential lock. By moving the rear handle back and forth, you can engage a lower or higher gear. These controls emphasize that the Lada4×4 and Chevrolet Niva are full-fledged SUVs, and not just cars with four-wheel drive.

The transfer case does not have synchronizers. When shifting, the gears align their teeth to each other; to engage the gear, you need to move the car a little back or forward.

The Niva's front and rear axle differentials are non-locking and redistribute rotational motion automatically. The driver can only lock the center differential.

When the center differential is locked, the same angular velocity is transmitted to the front and rear axles. This increases the vehicle's cross-country ability.

You need to lock the center differential when approaching a difficult section of the road, before the car begins to slip. Mud, sand, snow, ice are surfaces on which the risk of slipping is high; it is better to prepare to overcome such obstacles in advance. When the differential is locked, at least one wheel will rotate on the rear and front axles. But it is worth knowing that if the wheels of the rear and front axles are suspended diagonally or on one side, the differential lock will not solve the problem - the car will not be able to continue moving.

Do not lock the differential on asphalt and other smooth, hard road surfaces. This increases fuel consumption, accelerates tire wear and increases the load on vehicle parts.

Features of the Nivov design

The features of the Nivov transmission include the presence of a center differential that connects the rear and front axles. As a result, the wheels can rotate not only at different angles, but also at different angular speeds, which significantly affects controllability in impassable roads.

The key difference between the Niva’s center differential is the ability to lock when driveshafts rotate with the same characteristics. The center differential is manually locked only in difficult terrain conditions, when you need to overcome a large hole, rut or snow drift without slipping.

In practice, mechanical locking, although somewhat inconvenient, turns out to be better than the modern electromagnetic clutch used for these purposes. For example, the Renault Duster is not so easy to cope with the task in harsh off-road conditions, since the digital control unit can provide limited torque transmission. However, this effect will not be observed in a Niva with a mechanical lock.

Also interesting: Disassembly and assembly of the Niva 2121, Niva 2131 gearbox

Leaving the center differential locked will not only cause increased wear, but will also significantly reduce the vehicle's handling. The activated differential lock mode will be indicated by a lit indicator on the Niva dashboard. Please note that locking will not prevent one wheel from losing traction.

To overcome difficult areas, the transmission allows the use of a low gear with a high gear ratio (2.135); in the highest gear, the parameter is 1.2 and is intended for driving in normal conditions. The transfer case indicates different high and low gear modes. The lower one is turned on before entering a snowy area, unsteady soils, hills, and when a towed load is connected.

Some drivers master the skill of shifting gears at speeds of 30-35 km/h. Otherwise, you will have to stop the car and perform the operation in the parking lot.

Please note that Niva requires a competent approach to the selection of tires, the quality of which can affect the degree of wear of the transmission in just one season. The tires must be the same in terms of wear and, of course, in size. Different characteristics will lead to increased load on the transmission and slipping in low gear, and during normal driving will increase wear on the differentials.

Tips for operating Lada 4×4 and Chevrolet Niva

Beginners do not immediately remember at what position of the handle the differential is locked. But this is indicated by a warning indicator on the dashboard. If it lights up, the differential is locked. The front handle of the transfer case is responsible for locking the differential. If it is in the forward position, the differential is unlocked, in the rear it is locked.

The rear handle allows you to engage a lower gear. This must be done before getting into difficult road conditions. Since the box does not have synchronizers, switching must be done when the car is stationary. In this case, you need to depress the clutch. If the switch does not occur, you need to slowly move away, shaking the steering wheel.

When driving on a flat road, the rear transfer case handle should be in the rear position, and the front handle should be in the forward position.

What to do if the front and rear wheels are hanging out? As mentioned above, even locking the differential will not help solve this problem; the car will not move. To set the car in motion, you can pour soil under one of the hanging wheels. If there are passengers in the car, you can move them to the rear or front of the car by loading one of the axles.

A series of downshifts

You can often encounter the following type of misconception: switching the rear handle can increase the power characteristics of the motor. But this is not true. It serves to change the gear ratio between the engine and the wheels. By increasing it, the traction forces on the wheels will increase. There is also a reduction gear in the dispensing mechanism.

DON'T SPEND MONEY ON REPAINTING! Now you can remove any scratch from the body of your car in just 5 seconds.

Also interesting: Construction and repair of the VAZ 2121 Niva transfer case

Its operation can be controlled using the rear handle. When we shift the lever back, we will have a gear ratio of 2.135 - this is a low gear. It is recommended to downshift such a gear only when the car is stationary and the clutch is depressed. Despite the fact that the manual does not contain such a restriction, novice and inexperienced Niva drivers are not recommended to switch while driving, since the Niva transfer mechanism is not equipped with a synchronizer.

Advantages of Lada 4×4 and Chevrolet Niva cars

Why have these inconspicuously designed cars remained so popular over the years? The secret is the relatively low cost, which is combined with good maneuverability, reliability and simplicity of design. Many people appreciated this vehicle during trips to hunting, fishing, and off-road travel.

Of course, Lada4×4 and Chevrolet Niva have many disadvantages. They are inferior in many respects to modern SUVs, which are distinguished by increased comfort and the presence of many additional options, but for those who are looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-repair car with high cross-country capability, the Niva is a pretty good option.

Lada 4×4

Chevrolet Niva

Location of levers on Lada 4×4

Transmission units

Differential locations

edit this post

The relatively complex scheme for distributing torque from the internal combustion engine to the wheels is explained by the universal purpose of the Niva 2121 - if used correctly, it can be used comfortably in the city and along muddy country roads. Such properties are ensured by the presence of a transfer case with a center differential lock, complementing a 4- or 5-speed manual transmission, depending on the year of manufacture. The lever, located closer to the dashboard , is responsible for turning off/on the center differential, the second “small” lever controls the range multiplier and has 3 positions: high and low rows, as well as neutral.

Grenade replacement

This unit consists of parts that are constantly in motion. As a result, they may burst or wear out, requiring replacement.

The device can only be repaired if the owner of the car has identified damage to the boot in time, and therefore foreign substances have not yet managed to get inside the mechanism.

But this happens quite rarely, since it is almost impossible to detect damage to the boot in time. It should also be said that the cost of the CV joint is not high, and therefore it can be purchased if necessary.

Troubleshooting

You can determine the malfunction of the grenade yourself. To do this, while the car is moving, turn the steering wheel in any direction until it stops. In this case, the driver will hear a crunching sound in the area of the front wheel. In this case, you need to replace the hinge.

During the repair process, it is important to determine whether it is necessary to change both hinges or one, because such work is recommended to be carried out only in a comprehensive manner

Video on how to determine if a grenade is faulty

Changing a grenade on a Niva Chevrolet with your own hands

To replace a grenade, you must first remove the old one. In the process, you will have to dismantle the axle shaft along with the CV joint (you can find a disassembly video on the Internet). Then the car owner must perform the following actions:

Clamp the removed assembly in a vice.
Remove the old boot.
Knock the CV joint off the axle using a hammer and a socket.
Clean all teeth on the axle gear.
Install the new joint on the axle.
Place the boot and secure it with clamps.
Install the axle with CV joint on the car.

Design and principle of operation of the Niva 2121 transfer case

The transfer case mechanism includes more than 60 independent parts, which is confirmed by the presented drawing. Therefore, it is quite prudent to name the main elements and their purpose.

Photo No. 1

A pair of gears are tightly seated on the drive shaft, one of them (large) is intended for high gear, the second (small) is responsible for low gear. They have serrations with straight and oblique profiles. The first ones are in contact with the coupling, the second ones - with the intermediate shaft. The inclusion of one or another row causes the coupling to move along the hub in the horizontal direction, after which it is connected to the gear on the transfer case drive shaft.

The intermediate position turns off the gearbox ( the gearbox is open ), and the car cannot be moved in this mode. The front helical gear on the intermediate shaft is used to control the differential. The locking is engaged, or the rigid coupling of the drive shafts of both axles, is carried out through a clutch. The design is typical for modifications 21213 and 21214, and the latter is additionally equipped with a speed sensor drive.

Photo No. 2

In the operating state (with the transfer case reduction gear connected), the gear ratio in the first stage changes from 4.4 to 7.83, the second - from 2.52 to 4.58, the third - from 1.63 to 2.9, in the fourth - from 1.2 to 2.14, fifth - from 0.98 to 1.75, which is expressed in an increase in traction on the wheels.

Transfer case malfunctions

The transfer case is a complex unit, so it is important to correctly diagnose the malfunction and be able to quickly fix it. The most common sign of its incorrect operation is increased vibration.

If it is observed when driving in various modes, then the cause may be wear of the elastic coupling.

A visual inspection will help verify this. Vibration under direct load (acceleration) indicates a loose attachment of the transfer case to the body, a faulty CV joint on the intermediate shaft, or a jammed joint on one of the cardan shafts. If vibration is observed at a constant speed, then there is a problem with the balancing of the cardan shafts themselves or the differential.

Malfunctions often occur due to difficulty switching modes

Here attention should be paid to the hinges of the control mechanism, as they usually become clogged with dirt. The fork or stem may be deformed

Over time, nicks appear on the splines of hubs and gears. They can be easily removed by grinding, but to identify the defect you have to remove and disassemble the entire assembly.

Preventive maintenance includes timely replacement of transmission lubricant. It is performed every 45,000 km

It is important to follow the rules for switching modes during operation, and also carefully monitor the timely unlocking of the differential

How to use a transfer case with a range multiplier on a Niva 2121

The normal position for the RK handles, ensuring adequate behavior on the road of good quality:

Photo No. 3

Photo No. 4

Problems can also arise when disengaging the lockout, as the clutch teeth literally catch on the ring gear. Engage reverse and, rocking the steering wheel, push the lever away from you. This action is performed immediately after overcoming a difficult section in order to avoid overloading the gearbox. It is most effective to disable the differential together with the transition to lower stages. In this case, only diagonal suspension of the wheels can stop a Niva 4x4, since standard inter-wheel locking is not provided. When performing the above operations, you cannot give free rein to physical strength. An attempt to “push” the transmission will most likely result in expensive repairs.

Tips for owners

To make driving your car comfortable, read some important points:

The usual, standard arrangement of the front and rear handles is forward and backward, respectively. Movement in this mode can and should be carried out in areas characterized by even and smooth surfaces.
Locking the differential by switching the front handle to the rear position is best on roads characterized by increased slipperiness. This measure will give Niva stability. It is worth understanding that after overcoming the problem area, the handle will need to be returned to its original position.
As noted earlier, downshift should be activated before a potential obstacle, but not while the car is already stuck.
It is worth understanding that activating the lock when the vehicle is stationary is sometimes impossible, even if the clutch is depressed. This may be caused by the clutch teeth hitting the gear teeth. In this case, you can try to activate the lock by starting to drive slowly and make a slight turn. If problems arise with disabling the lock, it is recommended to perform the same procedure with the clutch depressed and the steering wheel slightly rocked.

Possible problems

Harsh operation and insufficient attention to how to use the transfer case on the Niva 2121 lead to the appearance of:

Experience shows that the culprits are: insufficient oil level, incorrect centering of the steering wheel, loosening of the support fastenings and damage to the rubber bands. An additional influence is exerted by the condition of the cardan and the engine itself.

Video distribution control Sources used:

https://motoran.ru/transmisii/niva-polnyj-privod
https://expertniva.ru/hodovaya/kak-rabotaet-polnyj-privod-na-nive-shevrole.html
https://akppwiki.ru/polnyj-privod-lada-4×4-i-chevrolet-niva-ustrojstvo-i-princip-raboty.html
https://nivaexpert.ru/transmissiya/kak-polzovatsya-razdatkoj-na-nive-ustrojstvo-korobki/

VAZ 2121 what drive

The transmission design of all Niva models, starting with the VAZ 2121 and up to the VAZ 2131, has permanent all-wheel drive on all four wheels with a locking center differential. The design consists of a gearbox, transfer case, front and rear driveshafts, front and rear axles.

Torque from the engine is transmitted through the gearbox to the transfer case, which redistributes it in two directions, to the front and rear axles. Next, the torque from the transfer case, through the front and rear cardans, is transmitted to the front and rear gearboxes. The torque from the front gearbox, through the front gearbox differential and the left and right constant velocity joint (CV joint) is redistributed to the left and right front wheels of the car. The torque from the rear gearbox through the rear gearbox differential and the left and right axle shafts is redistributed to the left and right rear wheels of the car. Since the torque is driven to all four wheels, it is called full-wheel drive. And since the design constantly transmits torque to all four wheels, it is called permanent all-wheel drive or in the international designation 4WD.

What differentials are locked on the Niva?

On the way, when transmitting torque from the engine to the wheels of the car, the Niva design provides three differentials. The first, the center differential, redistributes torque to the front and rear axles of the car. Niva has it blockable. The center differential is locked using a small transfer case control handle. When the center differential is locked, the warning light on the instrument panel lights up.

The other two differentials are cross-axle and are located in the front and rear gearboxes. They redistribute torque to the left and right wheels. These Niva differentials are free (that is, they do not lock).

When and why do you need to block the center differential?

The center differential must be blocked when overcoming difficult sections of roads. Such areas include: off-road, sand, steep ascents and descents. When the center differential is locked, the same torque begins to be transmitted to both axles of the car (ALER: Error! See article Niva Drive)

. In this regard, situations of slipping of the front axle of the car in relation to the rear axle are eliminated, which increases its maneuverability.

It is advisable to lock the differential before overcoming an obstacle, and not after the car is stuck. This allows you to avoid many unpleasant situations.

I locked the center differential, but was still stuck. At the same time, I noticed that only two wheels were spinning, one in the front and one in the back. How can it be?

When the center differential is locked, the same torque is transmitted to the front and rear axles of the car (ALER: Error: the angular velocity is the same, not the torque. See the article Niva drive)

. Therefore, at least one wheel will rotate on the front and rear axles. If the center differential were not locked, then only one wheel on one axle of the car would rotate.

The Niva's cross-wheel differentials are free (not locked), so they redistribute torque (ALER: it is not the torque that is redistributed, but the rotational movement. See the article Niva Drive)

towards less resistance, i.e. towards a wheel that has less resistance to the road surface. Therefore, when the center differential is turned on, one wheel slips on the front and rear axles.

Source

Main problems with the range multiplier

The main function of the range multiplier has the properties of a gearbox divider; it turns them on or off the gear speed.

Most transfer case breakdowns are purely mechanical in nature (for example, a cut shaft between the gearbox and the transfer case). This is provoked by inattention to fuel and lubricant levels, wear of rubber bands, incorrect location (alignment) of the unit, and the condition of adjacent components. The first indicator of problems with the transfer case is characteristic noise and vibration in the body.

Vibration when driving on Niva

The first reason is that at a speed of more than 70 km per hour, it’s all about the cardan shaft; only the original one must be installed. Next, replace the crosspiece on the cardan shaft, after which you must drag the shaft to a stand and balance it, otherwise the vibration will resume.

Important: The shaft itself on the Niva lasts two years, then it must be replaced. It’s better to order from the manufacturer; it’s not difficult to do online.

The second reason for vibration is the intermediate shaft, it must also be original, otherwise it will quickly fail. We take only the original AvtoVAZ one from the factory, otherwise vibration and breakdowns cannot be avoided.

The third reason for vibration is the breakdown of the gearbox flange bearings. To eliminate the problem, place additional support on the gearbox.

How to overcome noise when maneuvering in a transfer case

You can buy new handles for the levers. We change it ourselves, prying up the support with a screwdriver, take out the lever axis and get rid of the old handles. We remove the old lever springs and install new ones. Insert the lever axis and secure it with a corkscrew nut. Now, when driving with the new handles, there is no characteristic noise in the cabin. The handles can be easily changed without leaving the salon.

Stiff switching of the lock lever

This issue can be easily solved in the following way: when driving, just turn the steering wheel slightly and the lock will immediately turn on without any problems.

There are also: jamming of the pneumatic cylinder, sticking in the neutral position, or the rod is sitting tightly. Burnt gear and shift fork.

Transfer case for Niva, signs of breakdowns:

problematic engagement of the front axle;
overheating of the range multiplier;
leakage or excessive consumption of oil during operation of the transfer case;
self-switching of the front axle.

Repairing the transfer case in Niva 21213 with your own hands is quite possible in case of minor breakdowns. The owner of a Chevy Niva will only need the basic skills of a car mechanic. It is more difficult to correctly install and center the Niva transfer case. Here it is still recommended to contact a car service. A diagram of the unit itself is presented in the vehicle documentation.