Scramble
New member
SW shouldn't have any rust except surface maybe.
Spun out, now AWD / 4WD grinds/ratchets
- Thread starter Qyota
- Start date
SW shouldn't have any rust except surface maybe.
LittleCaesar
New member
I was wondering what had happened. With you spinning out in 2wd, I could not see how that would effect the T case, but I am no expert. The silver flakes in the old fluid wasn't a good sign.
Good luck with the removal and install. Let us know how it goes.
Good luck with the removal and install. Let us know how it goes.
On my 00 Limited with multi-mode i took off the rear drive shaft to have rebalanced and attempted to move the vehicle in AWD without the driveshaft and it made this exact same sound without moving. I was able to pull it into 4wd and the noise stopped and truck moved.
Im wondering that without the pressure of the driveshaft pushing against the transmission there is a misalignment of the front driveshaft to transfer case. Being that you jolted the drivetrain in a slide off there may be something going on. Could your slip yoke on rear shaft be completely collapsed and causing some kinda transmission/diff alignment issue? Not sure if possible... Just really sounds like the actuator isnt fully engaging but at least trying...
Im wondering that without the pressure of the driveshaft pushing against the transmission there is a misalignment of the front driveshaft to transfer case. Being that you jolted the drivetrain in a slide off there may be something going on. Could your slip yoke on rear shaft be completely collapsed and causing some kinda transmission/diff alignment issue? Not sure if possible... Just really sounds like the actuator isnt fully engaging but at least trying...
Last edited:
Qyota
New member
In the video, yes. On that icy surface it was an easy way to replicate the sound. The sound would happen more or less randomly after 4WD engagement, with or without touching the breaks. I think that points to a transfer output issue only when the front diff is engaged by, or "pushes back" on the front driveshaft.
I really appreciate the ideas, thank you!
2WD works fine, so I assume that means the rear driveshaft is aligned fine. The rear end doesn't appear to be tweaked in any way. It was a very minor slide-off. Interesting experience, though...with no rear DS installed, you heard this same noise? Hmmm....
I had the same noise the other day. I had use the 4 wheel drive in and out all morning long without any problems. On the way home I had shifted in and out multiple times without a problem, then the noise started to occur. It made the grinding noise 3 or 4 times and would not engage into 4 wheel drive. Soon after the 4 wheel drive works fine and I never did figure it out. mine was definitely in the transfer case I could feel in the floor.
Last edited:
Qyota
New member
Question: I have observed that when shifting into AWD or 4Hi, the lights on the dash basically illuminate immediately when I shift at a stop in neutral. Normally, this would take a few seconds of driving, or some maneuvering. Does this indicate that the front diff is engaged already (but without the transfer actuator being engaged), or in some sort of state of being "locked up"? I'm trying to figure out if the front diff is somehow "jammed", if it would cause the front DS is basically stop turning, and cause the grinding sound in the t-case. Does that sound feasible?
Qyota
New member
I've really stumped you guys!!
Small update: Took the truck to a local Toyota nut (who works at a small independent shop), and he agreed it is the t-case. He removed the front driveshaft and held the front output with a pry bar, and it made the same noise. That sort of rules out the front diff. He could not explain how the front output of the t-case had managed to F itself...and agreed with me that is is very uncommon.
So, we are looking for a donor t-case at the moment. It's actually not easy to find a '99 or '00 4runner t-case around here.
Until then, I'm 2WD only. Thankfully it's been a very easy winter, as far as snow goes.
Small update: Took the truck to a local Toyota nut (who works at a small independent shop), and he agreed it is the t-case. He removed the front driveshaft and held the front output with a pry bar, and it made the same noise. That sort of rules out the front diff. He could not explain how the front output of the t-case had managed to F itself...and agreed with me that is is very uncommon.
So, we are looking for a donor t-case at the moment. It's actually not easy to find a '99 or '00 4runner t-case around here.
Until then, I'm 2WD only. Thankfully it's been a very easy winter, as far as snow goes.
animator
New member
Definitely the t-case. In AWD, the front and rear outputs have the ability to slip and spin at different speeds, meaning you may end up with only the front or only the rear spinning in a case of extreme loss of traction.
If you push the diff lock button on the dash to lock the front and rear up, making a true 4-wheel drive, I wouldn't be surprised if either a) the sound went away completely, or b) that function fails to engage at all. If I'm remembering correctly, I believe there is a collar that slides over splines to engage and lock the front and rear outputs, and that collar, those splines, or the entire diff lock mechanism are damaged, and the sliver you're seeing in the lube is the metal shavings from those parts contacting in ways they should not be contacting.
Either way, a transfer case rebuilt is necessary, or at least a rebuilt of the center diff locking mechanism.
My educated guess...
If you push the diff lock button on the dash to lock the front and rear up, making a true 4-wheel drive, I wouldn't be surprised if either a) the sound went away completely, or b) that function fails to engage at all. If I'm remembering correctly, I believe there is a collar that slides over splines to engage and lock the front and rear outputs, and that collar, those splines, or the entire diff lock mechanism are damaged, and the sliver you're seeing in the lube is the metal shavings from those parts contacting in ways they should not be contacting.
Either way, a transfer case rebuilt is necessary, or at least a rebuilt of the center diff locking mechanism.
My educated guess...
jgue467
Senior Member
Weird. Don't understand how applying the brakes in 4wd would cause the transfer case to make that noise. My transfer case's chain got stretched crossing the rockies too many times, so at idle (in drive in 2 or 4wd) it will rattle the chain a hair but once i apply throttle that goes away immediately. But the brakes don't affect the noise whatsoever, in my case. Seems something got knocked out of alignment with the ditch bang up. Luck.
LittleCaesar
New member
Keep us posted. Tear down the old one to see what went wrong inside.
Qyota
New member
Update:
New (to me) transfer case installed, and all is right with the world again. I kept the old one, and will probably tear into it this summer. Way too cold to be out there taking it apart right now.
Mechanic has not seen nor heard of one of these self-destructing outside of rock crawling. Me neither. It will be interesting to see what's inside.
New (to me) transfer case installed, and all is right with the world again. I kept the old one, and will probably tear into it this summer. Way too cold to be out there taking it apart right now.
Mechanic has not seen nor heard of one of these self-destructing outside of rock crawling. Me neither. It will be interesting to see what's inside.
LittleCaesar
New member
Good to hear. I have just the hardest time fathoming that a little spin out somehow put the original transfer case in the grave. Weird. I'll just leave it up to old age and the weather.
Next visit to Grandma's house start out in AWD.
When you tear into it, post some pics.
Next visit to Grandma's house start out in AWD.
When you tear into it, post some pics.
