Slight grinding noise when going from H4 to L4

GLP

GLP

Member
Just bought my second 2004 Limited 4WD V8 (this one's for my 16 year old son). It has 102,000 miles and when switching from H4 to L4 and back it makes a grinding noise that lasts a fraction of a second, then everything works fine. I put it in neutral prior switching. Just wondering if anyone else with V8 4WD has had this happen? My other 4R doesn't make this noise when switching.

Other info:

-No TC actuator oil leak (yet)
-Previous owner probably never exercised the actuator since they never took it off road
-Center diff lock works fine and doesn't make grinding noise.
-Just got it so I haven't changed or checked TC oil.
 
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I don't know if it's what you're talking about but mine always makes a kind of mechanical "thump" that I can both hear and feel when going into or out of 4l. I don't think it's out of the ordinary. :shrug:
 
I know the noise you are talking about, my other one makes that thump. This is more like gears grinding, but for very short duration.
 
When I bought the one I have now, had 40k on it. Every once in a while, it might thunk. When I purchased it, it did the grind you speak of. Change the fluids in it and engage, disengage it frequently, should go away.
 
Mine does it, its a 1 sec noise when engaging H4 to L4. Has always done it since I bought it with 9k and has 106k now. It's like a grrr thunk. I refer to it as transforming into beast mode.. lol
 
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If I am driving in 4H, then stop completely and put it in neutral, then shift to 4L I get that slight grind. But if I am driving in 4H, and shift into neutral and coast a few feet before stopping, then put into 4L, I do not get any grind noise. I guess when I coast in neutral a few feet, somehow that makes it mesh easier.
 
I have heard this as well when shifting for 4lo during my monthly "use it or lose it" actuator exercise, but I have also noticed it only does it when it's cold outside and the fluid in the t-case is cold. If I drive around in 4hi unlocked for a while and the fluid gets good and warm it won't do it, completely silent. I have 10k mile old synthetic Valvoline 75w90 all around, so I suspect fluid isn't the culprit as so many others experience this as well.
 
I just went out and put it into 4L again and no noise this time. I honestly think the noise was because the previous owner never put it in 4L before so it had never really been "broken in". I'm just glad the actuator works after not being used for probably 11 years.
 
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