Normal sound for 4hi to 4lo?

[V8Limited4wd]

While warming up the engine I cycled the 4hi to 4lo and heard a loud "clack" noise that came from the transfer case. The sound lessened when it was warmed up. Is this normal when it is freezing outside? The 4lo engaged without issue as well as the diff lock. I use amsoil severe gear oil in all the diff/transfer cases.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Mine makes a little gear clash sound when the transfer case oil is cold but cold around here is only 50 degrees. I would imagine more noise at freezing temps. Mine makes very little noise when warmed up.

 

[THEROK]

mine makes 0 noise

 

[V8Limited4wd]

yeah it was below freezing and i just started the engine. Once it was fully warmed up there was little to no noise (opened the door to listen). I hope I didn't damage anything by doing that while it was cold.

 

[Synister]

I was just playing with all my 4wd modes earlier tonight to give all the actuators some exercise. 4hi, 4lo, center diff locked, and rear diff locked all make a soft clunking noise when initially engaging if everything isn't perfectly lined up. If they are then disengaged and reengaged without moving, they make no noise.Also, you can hear a slight clicking noise from under the glove box which I believe is the 4wd control module doing its thing. I think the solenoid just applies pressure to the the mechanism so that when the gears line up, it drops into place with a slight noise. I seriously doubt its possible to damage these components when engaged properly at the speeds they were designed to be used at.

 

[kai920]

I cycled mine the other day after I had just started the car in the morning. Temp was probably in the 20's. It made a "CRUNCH" sound. Sounds bad. I freaked out but had to go to work. Cycled again when at work, oil was warm by them. Little to zero noise, cycling it a few times, maybe just a little click if anything. Did it again when I left work and again crunch noise, it was cold again. Went to do a little wheeling in the snow the other day and cycled it a few times and used 4lo. No noise. I think it has to do with the oil being cold. I would avoid cycling it until everything has warmed up, or at least moving a bit to get the gears lubed up a little.