This is not my weekend! 2 problems within 48 hours!. Was out today and had to put her in 4 wheel drive. As soon as I did and gave it some throttle, this clunking/grinding noise started. It is definately coming from the front end, I think the front diff, maybe T-case, but it feels and sounds like it is up front more. If I am rolling in 4x4, it is fine, but when you bump the throttle, grinding again. Also when you are turning in 4x4, it does it under light throttle and rolling. This is making me think the diff! Am I right? It is just fine in 2 wheel drive. Never do 4x4 launches, go mudding, or abuse it, just use 4x4 when I need a little more traction. I checked the diff fluid, it is good, but there was a coat of fine gray "grease" on the check plug, similar to graphite, so Im thinking super fine shavings. Any help or ideas? Like I said, in 2x4, no problems. A few weeks ago I engaged 4x4 to make sure it was working, and it was fine, today I needed it and it is grinding. It sounds like there is a wrench in my diff! Thanks in adavance.

M Sandt

 

Axle u joint maybe. Mine made a horrible noise in 4x4 and nothing in 2x4.

 

Yeah, I just did my U-joints 7,000 miles ago. I checked the U-joints on the shaft from the T-case to front diff, and they dont have any excess movement. Thanks.

M Sandt

 

could it be your hubs? hope its under warranty if it is.......

 

I,m definately out of warranty. Any other Ideas. I'll see if I can pull my hubs off tomorrow and check them out. Thanks.

M Sandt

 

Any other things that anyone could think of?
Thanks.

 

The fine metal shavings on the the check plug are normal. If you had something wrong in there it would be chunks showing up on the magnet. I had a bad u joint in the front driveshaft which would only make noise under a load, also I checked it a couple times but couldn't feel it.

 

When you say did ujoints did u do axle joints or driveshaft joints

 

I did my axle u joints around 7000 miles ago In Decemer. I did some more testing, Just engagin 4x4 and driving slowly with the door open to listne for the noise, and I think it is coming from the transfer case. I checked the fluid level, and it is good, but the fluid looks like it could use a changing. The manual calls for ATF+4. It was still reddish, but a little on the brown side, so I think I might change it. How often do yall change this?

The noise seems like it is rotational, meaning, I drive slowly with the wheels turned, and it goes clunk-clunk, pause clunk-clunk, pause. and increase with wheel speed. Any ideas? Thanks guys.

M Sandt

 

Check the axle joints, and also check the front driveshaft joints and ball joint.

 

I checked tha axle u joints and ball joints and they are good, and they were just done last december, maybe 7000 miles ago. Thanks for ya'lls help, I guess I might have to take this one in. The driveshaft u joints dont have any play in them, but look a little old.

 

Have you checked your front wheel bearings? They make a clunking sound when the start to go. As they are unit bearings, it might be better to check out the
free spin kit on www.Dynatrac.com. Hope that this helps.

 

N noise in 2x4, could this still be wheel bearings? I need to get this looked at, it is worrying me. Its no too big of a deal, because I rarely need 4x4, but Id like to know whats wrong with it and get it fixed. Thanks for yalls help.

M Sandt

 

Almost for sure the T Case. Had buddy underneath it while driving, and something inside the t case is binding, cause the t case to torque hard. Might still be diff, but I think it is the T case. Not familiar with the internals of these, so anyone with knowledge in them, I appreciate your help. I am going to drain and change the fluid later to look for chunks, shaving, metal, etc. Bad day for my wallet I am thinking.

 

Yep, its the Transfer case. Anyone know where I can get one, or know of a good place around Hosuton, TX to have it rebuilt? Dont know what is wron with it inside, just know something is, and I'm thinking it might be best to just rebuild the whole thing, or buy a new/remanufactured case. This is not a good day for me! I just paid this truck off last week! Thanks guys, as always, yall are a big help.

M Sandt