Transfer case slipping? Need you're help...

mountainbiker42

mountainbiker42

New member
A loud and strange noise has developed in my 99 T4R. When I'm in 4hi, in reverse, backing up under load (backing up a hill or over a large bump) a very loud screeching/grinding noise comes from the transfer case and transmission area. It sounds like something is slipping. I can duplicate the noise by standing on the brakes and giving it throttle until it happens. I have ruled out a number of things based on the fact that the noise will continue as long as the accelerator is down. The wheels are locked up so it cannot be a u-joint, a squeaky bushing, or rear brakes because nothing is moving. In my mind it has to be something in the t-case or transmission. I just replaced all fluids this summer by the way.

It was a pretty scary noise. I found a post on yotatech about this but no one knew what it was it either. I'm thinking either the t-case is slipping (if thats possible) or the transmission is slipping. Does a transmission make an audible noise when it slips?

You're thoughts are greatly appreciated.
 
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Dirtyfingers said:
Try greasing your drive shafts.
Click to expand...

Pretty darn sure the driveshafts would have to be turning for them to make any noise.

Have you checked your fluid levels since the incident? What fluids did you specifically use for the transfer case and transmission?
 
The t-case has MasterPro 75-90 full synthetic gear oil and the transmission has Valvoline Dex/Mer 3 non synthetic. I ran out and checked the transmission level before I started the car this morning and noticed 2 odd things, 1: it was way overfilled (maybe 3 inches over the hot line). I wonder if this has anything to do with fluid draining out of the cooler? (B&M cooler) When I changed the fluid this summer it was not over filled. 2: the oil has a slight varnish smell to it which surprised me since it's only a few months old. I have a temp gauge installed on the transmission line going to the cooler and it's never been over 180.

It's hard for me to imagine the t-case would slip. I've never opened one up but I'm imagining splined gears that would be difficult to slip. And why would it only make the noise in reverse and not forward.
 
mountainbiker42 said:
The t-case has MasterPro 75-90 full synthetic gear oil and the transmission has Valvoline Dex/Mer 3 non synthetic. I ran out and checked the transmission level before I started the car this morning and noticed 2 odd things, 1: it was way overfilled (maybe 3 inches over the hot line). I wonder if this has anything to do with fluid draining out of the cooler? (B&M cooler) When I changed the fluid this summer it was not over filled. 2: the oil has a slight varnish smell to it which surprised me since it's only a few months old. I have a temp gauge installed on the transmission line going to the cooler and it's never been over 180.

It's hard for me to imagine the t-case would slip. I've never opened one up but I'm imagining splined gears that would be difficult to slip. And why would it only make the noise in reverse and not forward.
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There's no way your t-case is going to "slip". It would jump teeth. AND, if that happened, it would strip teeth, and you'd need a new t-case.

I'm willing to bet your trans is going out. Probably the clutch in the trans.
 
All signs point to the transmission I guess. You're saying the reverse clutch is probably slipping? I wonder if the clutch slipping would cause the noise I'm hearing. I've never "heard" a transmission slip but I have very very little experience with transmissions.

This thing has 200k miles on it and I bought it at 189k. I wonder if the new fluid is washing out some varnish material, causing it to smell that way.
 
anyone else have any thoughts or input? The transmission has never been over 180 degrees since I changed the fluid but I did pull around a 3500 lbs mower and trailer every weekend during "mowing" season this summer. The transmission oil is only a few months old but yet it is slightly varnished. Is varnished oil the same as burnt oil? I thought maybe new fluid cleaned out the tranmission a little and the varnish smell is the detergent doing its job. I'm not real experienced with transmissions, maybe I will be in the near future.
 
mountainbiker42 said:
A loud and strange noise has developed in my 99 T4R. When I'm in 4hi, in reverse, backing up under load (backing up a hill or over a large bump) a very loud screeching/grinding noise comes from the transfer case and transmission area. It sounds like something is slipping. I can duplicate the noise by standing on the brakes and giving it throttle until it happens. I have ruled out a number of things based on the fact that the noise will continue as long as the accelerator is down. The wheels are locked up so it cannot be a u-joint, a squeaky bushing, or rear brakes because nothing is moving. In my mind it has to be something in the t-case or transmission. I just replaced all fluids this summer by the way.

It was a pretty scary noise. I found a post on yotatech about this but no one knew what it was it either. I'm thinking either the t-case is slipping (if thats possible) or the transmission is slipping. Does a transmission make an audible noise when it slips?

You're thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...




Hey i just got a gen 3 and i have noticed the same noise happening.
Did you get a answer? To the issue?
 
heyitsthatguy said:
Hey i just got a gen 3 and i have noticed the same noise happening.
Did you get a answer? To the issue?
Click to expand...


Wow that was a long time ago. Bringing back some memories! I ended up doing some deep internet searching one night and found there was a TIB at some point for the 3rd gen 4runner trans. Something about reverse under heavy load, and trans fluid being relieved through a valve or orifice that would cause noise. If I remember correctly the TIB stated a new updated valve or orifice was used to create a smoother fluid flow. After reading it, I didn't worry about it. If there was ever a time when I needed reverse under a heavy load I put the car into 4lo
 
A loose transfer case dampner can make noise when out of resonance. If you can record the sound and post it, that would help.
 
Last edited:
mountainbiker42 said:
Wow that was a long time ago. Bringing back some memories! I ended up doing some deep internet searching one night and found there was a TIB at some point for the 3rd gen 4runner trans. Something about reverse under heavy load, and trans fluid being relieved through a valve or orifice that would cause noise. If I remember correctly the TIB stated a new updated valve or orifice was used to create a smoother fluid flow. After reading it, I didn't worry about it. If there was ever a time when I needed reverse under a heavy load I put the car into 4lo
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Ill try it next week when im back to see if it happens in 4lo.
Ill drop the fluid and check the filter too

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 
Hello everyone,
I am new to the group and I tried starting a thread but it says I have not made enough replies to start my own thread.
I am currently going through the same issue with my 2001 4runner. I am more than sure it is the transmission going out.

What do you guys think about an autozone transmission for my 4runner? I want opinions or experiences before I purchase one. It is $1652 for everything.
Thank you in advance everyone.
 
Valmi6 said:
Hello everyone,
I am new to the group and I tried starting a thread but it says I have not made enough replies to start my own thread.
I am currently going through the same issue with my 2001 4runner. I am more than sure it is the transmission going out.

What do you guys think about an autozone transmission for my 4runner? I want opinions or experiences before I purchase one. It is $1652 for everything.
Thank you in advance everyone.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use an auto zone trans for my rigs. You're going to pay more but I suggest getting one through Toyota.

But, are you sure you need a transmission replacement?
 
mountainbiker42 said:
Wow that was a long time ago. Bringing back some memories! I ended up doing some deep internet searching one night and found there was a TIB at some point for the 3rd gen 4runner trans. Something about reverse under heavy load, and trans fluid being relieved through a valve or orifice that would cause noise. If I remember correctly the TIB stated a new updated valve or orifice was used to create a smoother fluid flow. After reading it, I didn't worry about it. If there was ever a time when I needed reverse under a heavy load I put the car into 4lo
Click to expand...
Turns out putting it in low works for me too.
I have brought a second hand box, transfer and shift motor pavkage that i will throw at it in the next 3 weeks.
Fingers crossed i eliminate the problem

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 
heyitsthatguy said:
Turns out putting it in low works for me too.
I have brought a second hand box, transfer and shift motor pavkage that i will throw at it in the next 3 weeks.
Fingers crossed i eliminate the problem

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Any luck with the noise from replacing the transfer case motor?
 
Doc2012 said:
There's no way your t-case is going to "slip". It would jump teeth. AND, if that happened, it would strip teeth, and you'd need a new t-case.

I'm willing to bet your trans is going out. Probably the clutch in the trans.
Click to expand...

He said it's a '99. If it is a multi mode, the tcase could definitely be damaged in some way to allow it to slip. The AWD can get stupid in all sorts of ways. Mine was putting itself in AWD, even with the shifter in 4low. It caused some embarrassing situations.
 
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