I did a dumb, dumb thing today...

[MikeinCincy]

I am fairly new to my T4R (2 months) and I made a pretty big mistake today. I was driving around in 4HI and I wanted to put it into 2HI. So I was at a stop light and turned the knob to 2HI. It didn't disengage at first and the light turned green so I turned while the lights were blinking and it made this HORRIBLE noise. Do you guys thing I did any harm to my 4runner? (Please say no, please say no). Thanks

-Mike

 

[Koz]

If everything is working OK you should be alright. You may want to change the gear oil and see what's doing.

Koz

 

[TheBlueWave]

It made a clunking noise because you were turning. I did the same thing when I first got the rig. Next time, do what I do. I haven't heard or felt anything switching between them since that fatefull day when I first got the rig.
As you approach a stop light/sign IN A STRAIGHT LINE, turn the knob back as you are slowing down. If you are getting close to the light/sign, lightly pump the breaks in and out to just barely feel them grabbing. The 4x4 light should go off pretty quickly, but you have to keep the wheel straight during this time, or the switch back to 2 will be delayed, or you will get that nasty noise again.
I had to learn this truck. It seems to be an open-hub electronic 4wd selection type vehicle. Most of them with electronic 4wd selection have closed hubs full time so you can switch at a complete stop everytime. The runner is a bit strange, but the 4 wd system is awesome, IMO>

 

[MikeinCincy]

Thank you both for the replies. So do you guys think my 4Runner is alright? I just hope I didn't do any damage to her. After it made those noises for a few seconds while I was executing the small turn, I kept driving around and I tested the 4 wheel drive system by driving in 4 wheel and putting it back in 2 wheel and everything worked out great.

 

[magnumfan]

Grinding gears

Hey Mike, they are pretty tough and I belive the gears are under the control of a spring system when they are attempting to engage.

My V6 also grinded the first time I tried to go from 4Hi to 4Lo - and I have had several 4x4's, I am pretty sure the transfer case where the change in gears takes place gets sticky or some how locked up. I had my local dealer change my transfer case oil after I did it and I had them examine the oil for metal peices (an indication damage is done) they said they found none.

As per one of my colleagues above, I would suggest you take it to your dealer, have them change the transfer case oil and check it for small metal peices. If there are none present, you should be good to go.

I doubt you did any damage, the case hardening on these things is pretty amazing

good luck and welcome

joe

 

[nc211]

I did something very similar a few weeks ago while leaving Blockbuster Video. For some reason, like a kid told not to push that blinking red button, I decided to push the diff lock button, while at a stand-still. I went forward and heard the most god awful noises coming from underneath, loud banging. Scared me to death! I immediatly stopped, put it in neutral and pushed the button again to disengage, and no problems. Haven't touched it since.... Hope I didn't screw anything up either. Probably went 15 feet. Need to find a mud hole to test this thing out, if I could just find the time...