What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Trouble shooting the front 4 wheel drive...

L

Losthills78

Registered Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2011
Posts
45
Reaction score
0
Location
Pueblo co.
When I drive it im 2 there is no noise she drives fine.. When I drop her in 4 I hear squeel and it sounds pretty bad... It sounds like its coming from the driver side.. Any ideas???:dunno:
 
Can you give more specs on the truck? trans, t-case, what front, auto or manual hubs? Could be a hub locked up. What speeds does it make noise?
 
Its a 89 and its got auto hubs.. There is no noise wen I drive it in 2 when I put it in 4. It starts as soon as the wheel starts spining.. Its got a 700r4 trans..
 
I've never had auto hubs but it's my 'guess' that your driver's side hub is not fully engaging
 
Had that happen once it was a winding sound.. But im thinkind that could have messed some thing up with the hub.. I was gana be tearing into it mon to start with the bearing.. I noticed a small gap between the hub cap and hub..
 
Man, the title made me think for a second, its funny how much just one space can change the meaning. I thought you were having trouble shooting the 4WD, initial reaction was, you need more practice to improve your aim, it's a pretty big target.
 
Auto hubs on these trucks are basically just drive slugs right? No internal moving parts?

If so, everything up front is turning the same whether it's in 2 or in 4. Axles, u-joints, spindle bearings, and front drive shaft... all spin with the wheels.

I'm leaning towards a t-case problem. But here I am X miles away from the problem trying to diagnose it via a computer screen with a real vague problem description. :whistle:
 
496truck said:
Auto hubs on these trucks are basically just drive slugs right? No internal moving parts?
Click to expand...

No no no no no. Slugs are slugs, on the old NP203's fulltimes.

The auto hubs are a newer abomination, showed up in the 80's sometime, I think ... they're spring-loaded, lots of moving parts and honestly I've no idea how they work, inasmuch as I've never had a pair that did.

The one set I had were prone to not engaging when I wanted them to -- maybe they were hippy protestors, I donno -- and were immediately replaced by a set of manuals. I think Iceman took those hubs off my hands; apparently they can be tamed into submission :dunno:

-- A
 
Last edited:
Monday ill tear into it and tell u wat I see.. There is play when its lifted at 12 and 6 o'clock and a pop from time to time when im driving...
 
My best guess is you have a bad axle joint. The front driveshaft does not spin when in 2wd which means that when the auto hubs are unlocked and the t-case is in 2wd the front axles don't spin and thus no noise.
 
4X4HIGH said:
My best guess is you have a bad axle joint. The front driveshaft does not spin when in 2wd which means that when the auto hubs are unlocked and the t-case is in 2wd the front axles don't spin and thus no noise.
Click to expand...

Man I'm glad you all talked me into changing the axle joints when I replaced my ball joints!!

It seems like this problem is more and more common as these trucks get older. Mine didn't feel too bad when I got them out but I do remember looking at another one at a junk yard. It was trashed and had all kinds of slop!! Couldn't believe how bad they can get.....

Isn't the play at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock an indication of bad ball joints too???
 
Wats a good brand of axle joint?.. Im putting in all new national bearings cuz I got the parts.. Ill have to price axle joints..
 
another thing to check will you have it apart is the little axle bearing inside of the spindle.

I had a similar sqeal from one side in 4wd and that bearing turned out to be gone.
 
I took ur advise and got axle joints also from o rilys.. Paid $36 for 2 of them with lifetime on them
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom