First time using the 4wd

[thomasj1107]

I just drove around a local field and was testing the 4wd out a little yesterday.... I tried out 4L and 4H. When I turned it back to 2 and start making my way back home there was a pretty defined clunky noise when I started driving away. Is there something I could have done wrong when shifting it between the different modes that would have caused this? How do I avoid this?

 

[DannyLlama]

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=site%3A%2F%2Fwww.toyota-4runner.org%2F5th-gen-t4rs%2F%204wd%20clunk

In the address box type:

site://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/ "your search"

In this instance would be

site://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/ 4wd clunk

 

[1engineer]

I just drove around a local field and was testing the 4wd out a little yesterday.... I tried out 4L and 4H. When I turned it back to 2 and start making my way back home there was a pretty defined clunky noise when I started driving away. Is there something I could have done wrong when shifting it between the different modes that would have caused this? How do I avoid this?

Please go here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html

Tons of reading on this subject.

 

[thomasj1107]

Please go here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html

Tons of reading on this subject.

Thanks for the help! I searched, and didn't find what I was looking for so if you have any insight on my post that would be great.

 

[Dalko43]

I just drove around a local field and was testing the 4wd out a little yesterday.... I tried out 4L and 4H. When I turned it back to 2 and start making my way back home there was a pretty defined clunky noise when I started driving away. Is there something I could have done wrong when shifting it between the different modes that would have caused this? How do I avoid this?

Some more details please.

Did you disengage 4wd on or off pavement? Were you turning or going in a straight line?

Where did the sound emanate from? Front or rear?

What 4r do you have? Limited? SR5? What year?

FYI, there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) about the rear propeller shaft making a clunking noise when 4hi was engaged (for 2010-2012 SR5's and trails):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114053-toyota-issues-fix-axle-wrap-driveshaft-clunky-thumpy.html

I'm not saying this is the issue you are experiencing, but you should read the TSB and see if your own issues match up with what is described there.

There are other threads about similar issues:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/68916-axle-wrap-back-help-identifying-noise.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/188133-clunk-when-going-4h-2h.html

Honestly, you're only going to get guesses from anyone on this forum, but at the very least if you provide details, others will have a better understanding of what it is you're experiencing.

 

[1engineer]

Thanks for the help! I searched, and didn't find what I was looking for so if you have any insight on my post that would be great.

It's the first time you have used 4WD so the noise is probably just a common disconnecting noise going from 4WD to 2WD. Did you stop to do it? Were you traveling at speed? Did you back up? Were you in a turn? Mine makes noises unless I engage or disengage at some speed in a straight line.

The best thing you can do is try it again. Go to a straight stretch of road, and engage 4HI while driving. Go a short distance and disengage all while still traveling forward. Does it make a noise then? Let us know.

 

[DesertCanyons]

4x4 disengage

It's the first time you have used 4WD so the noise is probably just a common disconnecting noise going from 4WD to 2WD. Did you stop to do it? Were you traveling at speed? Did you back up? Were you in a turn? Mine makes noises unless I engage or disengage at some speed in a straight line.

The best thing you can do is try it again. Go to a straight stretch of road, and engage 4HI while driving. Go a short distance and disengage all while still traveling forward. Does it make a noise then? Let us know.

Good answer. Finally, the last two posts just answer the question as best they can. The links are useful too.

You should say that before changing the transfer case to or from 4 wheel drive that they should be moving very slowly, like 2 to 3 mph. As I recall the manual gives specific instructions for engaging and disengaging 4 wheel drive.

 

[fallencreations]

Good answer. Finally, the last two posts just answer the question as best they can. The links are useful too.

You should say that before changing the transfer case to or from 4 wheel drive that they should be moving very slowly, like 2 to 3 mph. As I recall the manual gives specific instructions for engaging and disengaging 4 wheel drive.

Under 50 mph from 2H -> 4H. Complete stop from 4H -> 4L. Just to clarify.

 

[thomasj1107]

Some more details please.

Did you disengage 4wd on or off pavement? Were you turning or going in a straight line? I disengaged off the pavement, and the clunk happened as I was turning to the left I believe

Where did the sound emanate from? Front or rear?
Sounded like right underneath my seat

What 4r do you have? Limited? SR5? What year?
SR5 2015

FYI, there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) about the rear propeller shaft making a clunking noise when 4hi was engaged (for 2010-2012 SR5's and trails):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114053-toyota-issues-fix-axle-wrap-driveshaft-clunky-thumpy.html

I'm not saying this is the issue you are experiencing, but you should read the TSB and see if your own issues match up with what is described there.

There are other threads about similar issues:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/68916-axle-wrap-back-help-identifying-noise.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/188133-clunk-when-going-4h-2h.html

Honestly, you're only going to get guesses from anyone on this forum, but at the very least if you provide details, others will have a better understanding of what it is you're experiencing.

I put answers into your quote, thanks for the help I really appreciate it!

 

[thomasj1107]

It's the first time you have used 4WD so the noise is probably just a common disconnecting noise going from 4WD to 2WD. Did you stop to do it? Were you traveling at speed? Did you back up? Were you in a turn? Mine makes noises unless I engage or disengage at some speed in a straight line.

The best thing you can do is try it again. Go to a straight stretch of road, and engage 4HI while driving. Go a short distance and disengage all while still traveling forward. Does it make a noise then? Let us know.

I will try this ASAP. I stopped completely when changing from 2WD to 4H, I didn't know I was supposed to be moving. Also, when changing from 4H to 4L I was stopped, went into neutral, then to 4L... then when going back neutral, to 4H, stopped, to 2WD.

So from now on I need to not engage into 4H unless I am moving forward, then when going from 4H to 4L I stop, neutral, then change, correct?

What conditions or situations should I not engage/disengage my 4WD?

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

 

[77Bronc]

When engaging 4WD with any of the modern systems, I always try to be rolling slow with the exception of 4L. Also try to be rolling in a straight line.

I have had some instances where the green 4WD symbol flashes longer before it turns solid, indicating non engagement. The few times it happened I was accelerating, backed off the pedal, it turned solid.

Of all of the 4WD systems I have owned over the years, the Toyota is one of the easiest. My 77 Bronco is fairly difficult.

I have never heard any clunking, I always followed my rules above.

77

 

[Dalko43]

I put answers into your quote, thanks for the help I really appreciate it!

Well the TSB I brought up shouldn't apply to you based on your model year.

I wouldn't be turning while the 4wd is engaging...I'm sure someone else could weigh in on whether there is any mechanical issue with turning while engaging/disengaging 4wd, but I always try to drive straight when turning the 4wd on or off.

 

[Antman]

The more you use it the quieter/easier it gets.

Mine goes in and out of 4wd like butta.

 

[snhrph]

Shudda gotta 4th Gen... :roadkill: :flamethrwoer2:

 

[BobsTrail]

When I sift in or out of 4H I try to do it while moving slowly and coasting, not accelerating or braking. That seems to work for me. Sometimes I need to turn a bit to get it to engage or disengage quicker. There is a lag sometimes.

 

[thomasj1107]

When engaging 4WD with any of the modern systems, I always try to be rolling slow with the exception of 4L. Also try to be rolling in a straight line.

I have had some instances where the green 4WD symbol flashes longer before it turns solid, indicating non engagement. The few times it happened I was accelerating, backed off the pedal, it turned solid.

Of all of the 4WD systems I have owned over the years, the Toyota is one of the easiest. My 77 Bronco is fairly difficult.

I have never heard any clunking, I always followed my rules above.

77

What if I were in a situation where I had to go straight to 4L, like I was stuck or something and I couldn't roll in a straight line to go to 4H first?

 

[1engineer]

What if I were in a situation where I had to go straight to 4L, like I was stuck or something and I couldn't roll in a straight line to go to 4H first?

First, everything I'm about to tell you is in your owner's manual. Yeah, that little book in the glove compartment.

When going to 4HI:
You should be moving and moving at speeds up to 50 or so mph is fine. If you are on dry pavement and do this you should try not to make tight corners, parking lot style. This can put the drivetrain in a bind. It won't break anything but the vehicle will appreciate you not doing it.

When shifting from 4HI to 4LO:
Stop. Shift from 4HI to 4Lo in one motion. You should try 4HI first before shifting to 4LO.

You don't have to be going in a straight line before shifting to either position but it is easier on the drivetrain if you are. You should "exercise" your 4WD every month or so by shifting into 4HI and driving several miles. It can be done on dry pavement as long as you keep speeds below 55 mph and try to keep the turns to a minimum. A nice two lane country road works well for this.

Questions?

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

I remember my first time, it was awkward....

 

[DannyLlama]

The more you use it the quieter/easier it gets.

Mine goes in and out like butta.

What you and [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] do is none of our business :lalala:

 

[thomasj1107]

First, everything I'm about to tell you is in your owner's manual. Yeah, that little book in the glove compartment.

When going to 4HI:
You should be moving and moving at speeds up to 50 or so mph is fine. If you are on dry pavement and do this you should try not to make tight corners, parking lot style. This can put the drivetrain in a bind. It won't break anything but the vehicle will appreciate you not doing it.

When shifting from 4HI to 4LO:
Stop. Shift from 4HI to 4Lo in one motion. You should try 4HI first before shifting to 4LO.

You don't have to be going in a straight line before shifting to either position but it is easier on the drivetrain if you are. You should "exercise" your 4WD every month or so by shifting into 4HI and driving several miles. It can be done on dry pavement as long as you keep speeds below 55 mph and try to keep the turns to a minimum. A nice two lane country road works well for this.

Questions?

Thanks, I appreciate the help. When my wife picked up the 4R she left the manual on the salesperson's table. Its 2 hours away so they are mailing it to us, otherwise I would have read it first. Thank you though.