4x4 problem
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 328
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From: northwest,WA
4x4 problem
78 250 the transfer case with 2w/4hi/n/4lo
when I lock the hubs and travel forward 4x4 works, when I turn about 3/4 to 1 turn I have the front make this metal bending noise that is horrible sounding
when I am on gravel and turn and drive real slow the rear tires will spin out with the "noise" on the front like with the rotation on the front something will bind and the rear will spin out due to the differental etc
I have a uJoint (the little one in the front knuckle) that looks like it has been in salt water for 100 years and its rusty to all heck.
what is the likely hood this is the cause? what else should I check out to diagnose the 4x4 failure
once the transfer case is in 2x there is no problems with the locked hubs BTW only when power to 4x
when I lock the hubs and travel forward 4x4 works, when I turn about 3/4 to 1 turn I have the front make this metal bending noise that is horrible sounding
when I am on gravel and turn and drive real slow the rear tires will spin out with the "noise" on the front like with the rotation on the front something will bind and the rear will spin out due to the differental etc
I have a uJoint (the little one in the front knuckle) that looks like it has been in salt water for 100 years and its rusty to all heck.
what is the likely hood this is the cause? what else should I check out to diagnose the 4x4 failure
once the transfer case is in 2x there is no problems with the locked hubs BTW only when power to 4x
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: northwest,WA
I will check that out, would that still be the issue if 4x4 works in hi and low while not turning the wheels more then 3/4? for instance to test the 4x4 i drove into a ditch and got stuck then drove out with no issues in 4xhi then after that drove home in 4xhi on the pavement with no issues
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 787
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
Ok, wait.... when you say turn..... you mean turning the steering wheel?? I thought you were saying when the wheels turn....as in when you start to drive forward, the truck binds and slips. But you're saying everything is fine when going straight?? The problem only occurs when the steering wheel is turned??
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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yeah exactly .. i'm thinking just outer ujoints.. hard to tell. but if there tight and intact in general haha then start thinking pull diff cover. or look inside the plug hole... with flashlight btw its dark in there. My friend had a heap cherokee with fuuuked split outer ujoints and it would click click slide tire... such a pain to push onto the trailer. Maybe park it lift the front tires put tcase in N. and start spinning things by hand... you get it figured out i'm sure of it.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 71
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From: North east IN.
You may have a bad u-joint or a bad lock out but the chirping and binding is from running 4 wheel drive on a hard dry surface and trying to turn. The front axles are trying to turn faster than the rear but the transfer case won't let it, and that can cause drive line breakage. In the mud, snow or gravel road etc. the tires can break loose to unload the pressure.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 328
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From: northwest,WA
yes its the steering wheel turn that I am referencing
The noise is like a horrible grinding or something hard to describe its loud and nasty
I have only tested on gravel to prevent damage to the drive train
are you saying to do this while the truck is in 4x ? the ujoint is still there so only if I pull it into 2x will it spin
The noise is like a horrible grinding or something hard to describe its loud and nasty
I have only tested on gravel to prevent damage to the drive train
Reach in and try to turn the axle ujoints by hand
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 71
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From: North east IN.
The easiest way is to have someone else drive it while you listen to hear where the noise is coming from. To check the u-joint put it 2 hi with the hubs locked and put a pry bar beside the u-joint and through the yoke and try to turn the axle back and forth and see if the u-joint has a lot of play, there shouldn't be any. Could also be a bad lock out too or something as simple as a rock caught up somewhere.
