2008 SR5 V6 - 4WD Problem

[CDJ]

I have a 2008 SR5 with the V6. I bought it brand new from the dealership about 7 months ago. I am having an issue with the 4WD. I have started to get more noise (possibly from the transfer case) when I shift on the fly. It began making a clunking noise and now makes a grinding. Also, several months ago, while backing up and taking it out of 4WD I heard a bang and the truck came to a stop. Something happened inside the transfer case. It was forceful enough to stop the truck and make me think I had backed into something. The owner's manual says you can go from 2 wheel high to 4 wheel high, while moving, as long as you're under 60 mph. It also says you can take it out of 4WD while in reverse. I've been putting it in 4WD about once a month, to keep everything operating well, as recommended by the owner's manual.

I took my 4Runner into the dealership yesterday to have them check out the grinding noise. They called Toyota technical support and told me that I shouldn't use the 4WD so much and that the noise was potentially coming from premature wear. The recommended I not shift on the fly and only use 4WD if I'm in mud or snow. This sounds like BS to me. I can't believe components are wearing out after 7 months of ownership, when 4WD is only being used once a month and I am following the owner's manual. My father has a 2001 Sequoia with a similar shift on the fly system and he's never experienced anything like this. Has anyone else had an experience like this? I want to make sure the dealer doesn't insist everything is fine until it goes out of warranty.

 

[jharris2]

The recommended I not shift on the fly and only use 4WD if I'm in mud or snow. This sounds like BS to me.

It is BS -- you should be able to run full-time in 4WD without problem. And I can't believe Toyota Tech Support would have told them that, so I really doubt that they called.

Have they done something like check the fluid levels? Maybe it somehow got out of the factory without the proper level in it.

In any case, what you're experiencing is not normal, and the dealership should stay on it until it's fixed. Or, take it to another dealer that may be more competent.

 

[Scoobs]

+1

What a load of BS. If Toyota tech support really said that and believed it then Toyota might as well pack up all 4WD production and switch over everything to cranking out more Yarises. What a joke.

 

[cmb]

Like JHarris2 said,take it to another dealer,keep us posted,this could get ugly!:bash:

 

[CDJ]

Thanks guys. That'll be my plan for this weekend. Do any of you ever shift it into 4 wheel high while moving? If so, what noises if any do you get? I never got more than a slight click as in engaged until a few weeks ago, when it started making all of this racket. Also, how well does your hill start assist work (if you have it)? The 2008's all came with it. Instead of there being a switch, it is meant to just automatically hold you on a hill when you move your foot from the brake to the gas. I have a hill with a stop sign at the top of it, where I have to stop every morning on the way to work. Some mornings, it holds me there just fine in the split second I need to move my foot from the brake to the gas. Other mornings the truck rolls back and when I catch the gas the VSC light comes on and makes a grind (hopefully just the ABS)...

 

[cmb]

Sounds to me like your Hill Assist is failing too,I have a 08 SE and theres very little noise when going from 2H-4H on the roll.Being an old fart, I'll always try to "let off" when shifting though,just can't see all that stuff "meshing" everytime without some help on our part when we can.From my research over the years these 4X systems on Toyotas are about as 'bullet proof' as they get.The only awful noise,racket I've ever had was with the Downhill Assist Control, THAT WAS SCARY! :awais: I don't like that noise,so I ain't gonna use that feature.

 

[CDJ]

Yeah, the 4WD systems being "bullet proof" was one of the main reasons I purchased the vehicle. I figured Toyota has been doing it forever. Hopefully once this is resolved I won't have any more issues with it. I've never used the down hill assist, but was even told by the dealer if you turn it on it makes all sorts of terrible noises, which are supposed to be fine for the vehicle but will give you one heck of a scare!

 

[Kmvreter]

... Do any of you ever shift it into 4 wheel high while moving? If so, what noises if any do you get?
... Also, how well does your hill start assist work (if you have it)?

I shift in and out on the fly all winter long, no noises, no issues.

HSA has been on all years of the 4th Gen. My '04 has it but rarely engages. This has nothing to do with your transfer case. I don't think you have an issue with it because it is an "assist" using the ABS for the instant you go from the brake to the accelerator. I've had mine roll back on me if I'm too long getting to the gas (read your manual; IIRC the HSA gives you 5 seconds of holding action.) I think your VSC is coming on because you "catch the gas" and are trying to break the traction at the wheels so the system is catching you. This is normal. Are you on a sloped gravel road? Ease up on how you hit the gas and see if that helps.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

My 08 limited V6 shifts in and out of 4wd so smoothly if it were not for the dash light you wouldn't feel it. Did you check the oil level in the tcase? Something is wrong and make them fix it. Right after you call Toyota corporate. Go on the website and file a complaint about the dealer explanation.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

What I know to be true is with each transition 2wd-4wd we do the dreaded

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I always shift mine at very low speeds (<15mph). I only run it once a month for about 5 miles to keep the parts lubed.

 

[cmb]

More great advise from KB084RUNNER about running around in 4X every now and then,keeping the moving 'stuff' lubed.:

 

[CDJ]

I ended up getting everything taken care of a few months back. The noise and grinding going into 4WD got progressively worse. I ended up filing a complaint with Toyota corporate and insisting another dealership give a second opinion and make any repairs. The second dealership agreed there was definitely something wrong. They ended up just replacing the entire transfer case under warranty.

 

[chayos00]

I ended up getting everything taken care of a few months back. The noise and grinding going into 4WD got progressively worse. I ended up filing a complaint with Toyota corporate and insisting another dealership give a second opinion and make any repairs. The second dealership agreed there was definitely something wrong. They ended up just replacing the entire transfer case under warranty.

Wow you got to like how some people just try to blow off the issues that we have. I hate people who just don't want to deal with it.