Not the end of the world, I had a spare shaft, and tools with me. My 2007 is a V8 AWD with the Limited Slip transfer case. When the CV seperated from the inside joint, I lost ALL FORWARD movement (4HI). Even with the trans in PARK, the rig would continue to roll down hill. With the clicking, grinding, and no PARK, I thought it was a broken transmission.. Troubleshooting revealed that with the park brake engaged, put rig in gear, the front driveshaft would spin, as would the inside joint of the broke CV, where the clicking was coming from.
Thinking about it now, I guess that I could have put the transfer case in 4LO to continue forward momentum? That is supposed to lock the case 50-50 for power, rather than just the path with the least resistance. If I could have disconnected the front end all together, like my old 85 4Runner, all would have been well.
Is there anything else I could do next time, if I DON'T have a spare shaft assemby on me? If I yank the entire shaft out, I would need to keep at least the tulip portion plugged into the diff, to keep the gear oil in. Even if I did, I would have no forward unless 4LO. That could be a long slow drive on the interstate for 20 miles to get home.
I would also assume the removing the front driveshaft, or pulling the VSC plug from the master cylinder would be of no use. There is no way to use 4HI with a broke CV Shaft?? That just bums me out.
Thoughts, Comments, Concerns..??

Thanks!

4LO and center diff lock wouldn't work either. The ONLY solution is to pull the traction control plug from the master cylinder. I suppose you can also unbolt the front drive shaft also but would still likely need to pull the traction control plug.

what am I missing? center diff lock should work. you would have to pull the busted cv. but with the diff locked, it should drive.

also, does 4lo spit it 50%? I thought only the center diff lock did that.

Holy Crap batman!
It just NOW hit me that I have a center diff lock button!!! Feeling like a noob. Alot of more whiz-bangs on this rig than I'm used too...

Center Diff, does it lock in 4Hi ? I don't have my owners manual near me at the moment..

both high and low you can use it

Thanks for everyone'e input. Just in case there is a next time, I now feel more confident on my options that will be available to me. Safe wheeling everyone!

I haven't run into a broken CV axle yet, but engaging the CDL should result in limited mobility, but mobility none the less.

Glad you and truck are back to safety. Why in the world did you have a spare drive shaft?! I don't know anyone who travels with spares of that kind. Do you take a spare engine and tranny with you too?

It happened to me and I couldn't move at all. I literally had zero mobility even with the center diff locked.

Because I had one...

Actually, with my old '85, I always carried front axle shafts, a birfield, and a driveshaft. Although I never used them, but you know I would need it if I left without it one time. Happened with a spare tire to me, long story...

I am "new" to wheeling this IFS stuff, and everyone always balks at IFS, so I keep a cheapie aftermarket with me. As well as the tools required to swap it on the trail, which I am glad I did this time.

I almost left home without it. REALLY glad that I did not!!

I couldn't imagine a tow strap to get to the freeway, then calling a tow truck. That's why I asked about the center diff lock, VSC, etc. Getting conflicting answers now.

That is what I heard also from a V8 4runner owner that had to get his runner towed from a broken CV axle.

That is one major con with owning a V8 AWD 4runner. Since its full time all wheel drive I do not think you can drive it with a broken axle.

The V6 guys can simply simply set the transfer case to 2wd and give power to only the rear wheels and continue on.

Yep, well you could pull the VSC plug from the master cylinder and that should get you where you need to go but I would only use that in emergency situations like getting off the trail back to pavement or something.

When you enable the center diff lock doesn't they turn off vsc/abs etc? It does on my 09.

Not sure. But as long as I can get power to the rear axle with the center diff locked, I'm not overly concerned about the VSC...

What I need to do is remove a front CV axle and go for a drive, check all combinations of settings to see what works, what doesn't. I have the internal part of the old axle that I could use as a "plug" for the front diff. Seems like a lot of work though....



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My 2003 4Runner just did the same thing, however not off roading. I did not see any CV axles moving however. Front drive shaft spins freely while in gear with the e-brake on and there is the nasty scraping sound. Did I not look hard enough? Or is this a broken front differential?