Transfer Case Noise

[97sr5]

I recently bought a 97 4Runner v6 auto and I just noticed what sounds like a bearing noise possibly coming from the T case. Only occurs in 4wd, no noise in 2wd. When i spin the front drive shaft by hand you can hear a similar noise from the tcase sounds like a bad bearing but maybe it is normal to hear some noise when the shaft is spun by hand. Oil level in the tcase is fine and 4wd works well. You have to give the shifter a good pull to get engage 4wd though, not sure if that is normal or not either.

Any ideas?

 

[footy14]

When I bought my used 1999 ltd with 230k kms, it made a slight whining noise when in engaged in 4wd. I also noticed that the 4wd shift lever also vibrations running through it when engaged.

I drained and filled the t-case with a synthetic oil and that cleared it all up. Smooth as butter now, no vibrations and no whining noise.

Won`t hurt to change the t-case and diff oils anyhow if you don`t know when they were last changed.

Hope this is your quick cheap fix.

 

[97sr5]

Thanks for the input, the oil was recently changed but with dino oil. Maybe I will try the synthetic.

Is it normal for there to be some noise when you spin the front driveshaft by hand? I cant tell if the noise I am hearing is a bad bearing or just the internals of the t case turning and making normal noise. Also do you have to pull on the shifter fairly hard to engage 4wd?

 

[Tarnsman]

Next Steps?

I took my 2003 4Runner to a mechanic thinking I had noise from a wheel bearing. It is like a hum or vibration, but not too bad yet. He said it is coming from the transfer case not the wheel bearings, and he doesn't work on them.

Assuming its a bearing in the transfer case making the noise:

• Can it be repaired or do I need a rebuilt transfer case?
• Is this something I should take to an independent, or the dealer?
• What should I be looking at for reasonable cost?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jgue467]

...I just noticed what sounds like a bearing noise possibly coming from the T case....Any ideas?

Have you checked the dampner on the back of the transfer case? I thought my case chain had stretched after I crossed the rockies on I70 several times, turned out the dampner became loose causing it to vibrate at certain times like idling in gear. Just a thought. Good luck. :cowboy:

 

[eurasiaoverland]

I have a 1996 Hilux Surf (JDM 4Runner) with a W59 manual transmission and the part-time transfer box. Since the vehicle has no centre diff and I've only been on asphalt since I bought it a few weeks back, I have never tried 4WD. If I turn the front propshaft I get quite some rumble. If I compare it to the transfer box on my Hilux (which is a reduction gear, rather than planetary gear type), it's a similar noise, only louder. Is this normal?

I drained the oil and it looked fine, no swarf visible at all. I've already pulled the engine out so will also pull the transmission and most likely strip down the transfer box.

Driving in 2WD it sounds fine, so perhaps it is part of the front output mechanism. Looking at the technical diagrams, the only parts I can see which would only turn when the front-drive is engaged would be the front output shaft (with two bearings), the chain, and the front drive sprocket on the rear output shaft.

Would be interesting to know if anyone has diagnosed this rumbling. Otherwise the transfer is getting pulled and rebuilt!