94 SR front side bearing and axel question

[indika]

94 SR 4wd manual

I am getting a lot of noise on cold days only from the front end. Noise changes with speed, happens while in neutral but moving, only happens when it is extra cold.

its #4 part in this link
http://www.autopartslib.com/wp-conte...ts-Diagram.png

So I take it to my mechanic, he says the side bearing (where the axle goes into the transfer case) is shot and take to tranny shop.

I take to tranny shop and quote $1000 to replace the side bearing. but Tranny shop says if you dont engage 4WD there is no danger except the noise. but my mechanic says I could blow the housing. I dont have the $$ now to get it fixed.

My question is if the side bearing is shot and I do not engage 4WD is it safe to drive my rig on long drives etc? I know its best to get it fixed but want to wait if I can.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thank you kindly.

Indika

 

[indika]

after further digging, this is what I am realizing.

I dont have locking hubs, its automatic locking hubs. It only supposed to lock when I am in 4WD. and when you are in 2wd the shaft is not supposed to be turning. but I get my noise even in 2wd.

Could it be that my locking mechanism is faulting and stay locked even in 2WD. causing the shaft to turn at all times and was actually causing the bearings to wear off?

someone please answer me pls pls.

 

[kdawg532]

It is to my understanding that the 2nd gen t4r's mostly come with ADD(Automatic Differential Disconnect) which instead of hubs has a flange, where wheel never spins free from the axle. It could either be the side bearing, but I would check your wheel bearings too. Mine make a roaring sound when it's cold outside. I just don't have monies to fix them, as for potential damage to the differential or T/case I am clueless to this matter.

 

[indika]

Thanks for the reply, yes the axle spins even in 2wd, from what I understand. as I hav A.D.D. it is engaged\disengaged in the transfer case, from my reading.

 

[kdawg532]

yep, all the ADD is, is a vacuum controlled switch, that when the truck is engaged into 4wd it moves the i guess like a slider thing on the drivers side axle and connects it to the drive shaft. It's a pretty simple yet complicated system, I was studying up on it earlier.

 

[fourwd1]

94 SR 4wd manual

I am getting a lot of noise on cold days only from the front end. Noise changes with speed, happens while in neutral but moving, only happens when it is extra cold.

its #4 part in this link
http://www.autopartslib.com/wp-conte...ts-Diagram.png

Link doesn't work

So I take it to my mechanic, he says the side bearing (where the axle goes into the transfer case) is shot and take to tranny shop.

Axle does not go into transfer case, I think you mean the differential.

I take to tranny shop and quote $1000 to replace the side bearing. but Tranny shop says if you dont engage 4WD there is no danger except the noise. but my mechanic says I could blow the housing. I dont have the $$ now to get it fixed.

Assuming it is the bearing where the axle shaft connects to the diff, $1000 seems very high. Also, if your mechanic doesn't know a diff from a t-case, you need a new mechanic.

If it is that bearing, you could probably drive it a bit in 2WD without damage.