Damaging the transfer case

[deepwoodsranger]

Hey there everyone. So I'm having some weird screeching/squealing noise from my truck after a day of some casual wheeling. I want to say its either the u-joints or the front cv, but i cant tell for sure. I'm running out of time where i'm at to fix it and all of the parts are three or four days out. What i'm trying to figure out is if i can disconnect the front drive shaft and drive it in 2wd a thousand miles without causing damage to the transfer case? Is it possible or safe?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If it is your FX4 it won't care.

If it is something fulltime AWD like a Explorer, it will care.

Disconnect it at the differential, IMO it would be best to just remove it altogether.

 

[wildbill23c]

I've never heard of a U-Joint or CV axle making a squealing noise, sounds like you have something else going on maybe the fan belt squealing, an idler pulley failing, or a belt driven accessory like the power steering pump or alternator is failing. If you went wheeling with it you probably got some dirt in something where it don't belong that's causing the squealing, could even be a rock in a brake caliper.