4x4 whines

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm going to visit my sister before she moves to New Zealand. I have to cross the Rocky Mountains. I want to take my 1994 Ranger that I just put on the road. I jury rigged the t-case so its always in 4hi. I've been running with only one hub locked and can hear a low pitched whine that keeps pace with road speed. When I put both hubs in lock, the whine is a high pitch, essentially doubling. What would cause this and should I worry about going on a 2000 km trip ( worry more than normal for a mid winter trip thru the rockies...)

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[RonD]

I would delve deeper
Change to noise with both hubs unlocked?
i.e. axle bearing noise

Change to noise with transfer case in 2WD, or front drive shaft removed, hubs locked and then unlocked?
i.e. front differential or transfer case noise.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm off work tomorrow. I'll check then. The only thing I can positively say right now, in 4hi the whine doubles in frequency when both hubs engaged compared to one hub engaged. IOW the whine is higher pitched. Thanks.

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[wildbill23c]

Any gear oil in the front differential and T-case LOL? Sounds stupid but check...but if there isn't its already whining and already too late to fix it. Definitely a bearing going bad somewhere, whether it be a hub, axle bearing, etc.

 

[RonD]

I'm off work tomorrow. I'll check then. The only thing I can positively say right now, in 4hi the whine doubles in frequency when both hubs engaged compared to one hub engaged. IOW the whine is higher pitched. Thanks.

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I would say front differential then.

In 4high the front drive shaft is powered all the time so hubs locked or unlocked shouldn't change the noise if it was coming from transfer case.

If there is no noise in 2high with hubs unlocked then for sure front differential or axle bearing.

Might be time to swap over that Shiftster and only used the 4WD when absolutely needed on this trip

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Any gear oil in the front differential and T-case LOL? Sounds stupid but check...but if there isn't its already whining and already too late to fix it. Definitely a bearing going bad somewhere, whether it be a hub, axle bearing, etc.

I'll check. This truck was badly neglected.

 

[Curious Hound]

I would remove the front drive shaft and unlock the hubs. If noise goes away, then it's NOT the wheel bearings.

Match-mark both ends of the shaft before removing it. That way you can reinstall it in the same orientation and have it balanced as it is now.

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[Andy D]

As long as there is lube. You'll probably be OK . The Rat's front end weeps. I'm in top off mode with it . Its a jeep thing. If the Jeep isn't leaking, its probably empty. It takes me only a minute or so for me to shift from 2 wh to 4 high. So I run In 4 high with the hubs unlocked . When the shift motor is off the case has the modes cast in it. The triangular shaft is an isosceles I painted it with white so I can work in low light. I have a small needlenose Vise-grip and about 2 feet of mechanics wire I wrap the extra wire around the damper. Not exactly shift on the fly. OTOH I havent lost 4wd when I needed it either

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Today I installed the Shiftster from my race truck into this one. I'm going to run in 2wd and I have chains, real ones, to strap on if needed. 4x4 will be a last resort until I can look closer at the system.
Also tried to get the spare out from under but someone installed a homemade hitch receiver that prevents dropping the spare all the way. I'll carry an extra spare in the box [with canopy].
And finally I checked the front diff and T-case fluids and they are dirty but full.
I'm heading off on a 2400 km trip starting tomorrow morning.

 

[RonD]

Have a fun and safe trip


I take it the whine went away with transfer case in 2WD

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thanks. I made it to the coast without seeing any real snow.
And now I'm thinking the whine may be tire whine....duh. But it is hard to do any diagnosis without a shop or dry roads.

And I got 13.34 l/100Km or 21.2 mpg Canadian, 17 mpg US.

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[97RangerXLT]

Glad you made it safe Richard. I hear you on the homemade hitch blocking the tire... I did that myself to my 97. had a buddy weld it up and it was a thing of beauty... much better than any hitch you could get from a store and built nicer. He even powdercoated it.

And as I bolted it up to the frame I noticed that the spare tire latch bolt at the rear of the carrier now was blocked by this thing of beauty.

I carry a toolbox so I can remove the entire carrier if need be (removed it in 2012 to POR15 the frame and carrier so the bolts shouldn't be too rusted...)even aired up the original 1997 tire to specs.

I am thinking that when I do have the tires replaced next year I will save off the best of the 4 tires and mount it to a spare rim that I have laying around and just leave the 20 year old spare under the truck to catch dirt and salt...

AJ

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks. I made it to the coast without seeing any real snow.
And now I'm thinking the whine may be tire whine....duh. But it is hard to do any diagnosis without a shop or dry roads.

And I got 13.34 l/100Km or 21.2 mpg Canadian, 17 mpg US.

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Good to hear you made it out there safely.

That's pretty good good mileage in 4 Hi...since it was probably uphill most of the way...I'd imagine the hubs are not locked so you're not in constant 4wd...but it must be turning the shafts...

Is there a carrier bearing on the front shaft on a Ranger?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

After installing the Shiftster I put in 2wd for the trip. There was almost no snow on the roads, got lucky.

Its downhill from Red Deer, Alberta to Pemberton, BC. I think about 3000' elevation change.

No carrier bearing on this ranger, it a standard cab short box. I'm not as tall as you, I'm only 6'2", but I miss my extended cab. I'm glad I could use the cruise so I could shift my legs around a bit. Sore butt too [emoji15]

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[Andy D]

Glad you made it.