the other day i went to go use my 4x4 for the first time in a while. I locked the hubs, and put it in 4HI, and the 4x4 light on the dash came on but the 4x4 wasnt working. I finally got the 4x4 HI to engage and the truck started making a louded rumble noise. It definately was from a moving part cause it would be faster and the truck went faster. Then when i went to take it out of 4HI it wouldnt go back to 2wd. I would put it in 2 and after about 5 minutes of driving it went into 2wd, then randomly decided to go back into 4. previously my 4x4 had made a slight ruble noise but nothing like these problems. The ruble got progressively louder throughout the day and it evetually started to sound like a jack hammer when i had my window rolled down.

All this only occurs when my hubs are locked. One more thing that might help someone solve the problem. I was towing a car out a ditch on a really snowy road. I had the truck in 4x4 and was trying to pul them out and my one buddy was outside and said the wheels were jsut hopping, not really moving. The U joints were spinning really fast but no wheel movement. Eventually I got the them out, so i dont know what the deal with this thing is. If anyone could help solve this puzzle id grealty appreciate it. I dont know if this had to do with the load on the truck or my problem.

I checked all the fluids and they were fine. I have a 94 IDI turbo diesel. I have no idea what it could be.

 

The front axle u joints were turning but not the wheels? You have manual hubs? You may have a broken hub.

There are a number of causes of a noise like that. Check the front driveline u joints and CV joint. Check the front axle u joints. Would also be a good idea to check the front axle for oil level.

Jason

 

yeah the U joints on the front axel were spinning but not the wheels, but the funny thing is the 4wd works sometimes

As far as the noise goes is i think it sounds like its metal hitting metal, i could be wrong though

and if it helps the transfer case shifter in the cab shakes pretty bad with the noise

 

I would check out the lockouts, ecspecially if you have the light duty frontend. They use half ton hubs. They could also be just dirty. If they get gunk in the hub they do not engage properly.

 

i actually have newer warn hubs, pulled the cover off one, they look fine

 

Jack up one wheel lock in the hubs and put it in 4X4. Try to see what turns and what dosen't. If the front axle was turning the problem must be in the hubs.
I think the next step would be to pull the hub and disasemble it. Look at the splines inside the hub and on the axle.

 

It sounds like the lock cogor housing of the lock out hub is stripped or the outer axle shaft splines are stripped

 

wouldnt i have to jack up the entire truck?

 

only one side of the truck unless it's a limited slip/posi-trac. if it's an open differential, power's going to go to the side with the least resistance.

speedrdr

 

oh ok

today i checked and it still makes the noise when the hubs are unlocked but the transfer case in engaged

 

Sorry for the confusion. I ment to turn the wheel by hand. You should not be able to. If you can watch and see what is truning. If the axle does not turn the problem is the hub. If the axle does turn but the front driveshaft does not the problem is in the diff. If the front driveshaft turns the problem is in the transfercase. I almost forgot if the other axle turns but not the front driveshaft. The problem is the other hub.