4-wheel drive broke

[mtnuser]

I was in Moab, Ut and had been hearing a screeching noise off and on. I think that a rock was stuck in the rotor since it stopped. I came to up to a big rock I had to go turn onto and go down. When I started going down it, I started to slide. When I hit the bottom the front wheels were turned slightly (don't know if that had anything to do with this) but I rolled through and kept driving. The next couple minutes were easy driving and I didn't need the 4-wheel drive. I came up to an obstacle and should have been able to get over it but couldn't, I soon realized my 4-wheel indicator light was off. I am not sure when it went off but I am guessing when I slid down that rock. I have been told it could be the couplings, or that I broke the pin in the front diff..sometimes called the donkey ****. Any ideas on what could have happened? I just got the skid plates off so I haven't had time to look under yet.

 

[Uneek]

What year is your 4Runner?

 

[rook]

I have been told it could be the couplings, or that I broke the pin in the front diff..sometimes called the donkey ****. Any ideas on what could have happened? I just got the skid plates off so I haven't had time to look under yet.

Why is it when I read this, I think of Napoleon Dynamite?

Seriously, if you have selectable 4WD, and no grinding or a loud pop prior to the failure, it is probably the actuator.