Noise / clunk / skip in 4x4 High

[turbotaguy]

Thanks CWD90!

 

[camodown]

so did you pull the cover on the front diff and take a good look in there?

 

[Nhaz]

I would also double check the tire size. If say the fronts are worn and the backs are not the tires size difference will now actually cause a slightly different ratio between the front and rear tires.

And since you have replaced almost everything. Have you looked at the front driveshaft yet? how about its U joints?

 

[turbotaguy]

Tires are the original size front and back (recently replaced them with stockers).

 

[Nhaz]

Inside the boot is probably another CV joint.

and if a tooth has broken off and is rolling around in the diff that can catch in another tooth and grind pop noises will occur.

But I think you have live shafts so the diff is always spinning. the noise would still be occurring even with the transfer case disengaged.

 

[turbotaguy]

I will post my findings.

 

[turbotaguy]

Replaced the front driveshaft - It actually seems like it is a little bit better.

 

[cwb90]

Replaced the front driveshaft - It actually seems like it is a little bit better.

You said it's better but did it fix the problem. I have the same thing going on and not sure where to start.

cwb90

 

[legoms013]

That only happens if you turn a corner on a hard dry surface. Driving a Ranger in a straight line on a hard dry surface will not bind the drive-line unless the tires are not the same size.

Regardless its never a good idea to drive a part time t-case locked in 4wd on dry high traction surfaces, there are too many variables that cause the wheels to travel DIFFERENT distances to risk driveline/t-case/u-joint failure. It just isn't worth it and its completely avoidable. Even if its in a straight line as rarely are the wheels gonna go the same distance, thats why the differential was invented.

 

[93rangerXLT4x4]

any findings to this problem??? my 93' has the exact same problem, i was out wheeling a few days ago with some friends and it got worse and worse. so you guys are thinking its either a CV or a t-case?? i thought it was the front axle shaft u-joints making that aweful racket so i replaced them and the noise is still there but the u-joints were pretty bad anyways. gonna need to fix this problem soon because im gonna need 4wd soon.

 

[AllanD]

Driveshaft windup.

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[cwb90]

Driveshaft windup.

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What do you mean by "Driveshaft windup"

Clint

 

[Heliguy]

In 2wd my 04 Ranger is great - no problems. When I switch to 4x4 it engages fine - no problems. If I drive in 4x4 for a while it clunks (loudly like you are hitting a pot hole) periodically then is fine for a bit, then clunks again, then fine.

I have the same problem in my 2005 FX4. Its been going on for a little over a year now. 170000 km on the truck. This is NOT a CV problem, they have been checked and it is NOT axle windup... they axle would have snapped by now if it was. This happens at speeds over 60km/hr or 40mph only. When the roads are slick the back end up the truck kicks a bit sideways. The best way to describe it is like the previous post. It feels like your are driving over a potole, small speed bump or a big crack in the road. It does this at irregular time intervals, sometimes several times in a mile and sometimes not for half an hour. When the noise/clunk happens you deffinately feel in the front end first and then the back. (like a pothole). Have talked to a few mechanics and all are clueless too. Just looking for some more input before I replace the transfer case.

 

[AllanD]

Actually it IS axle windup the tension builds until you get that "Bang" which is the forces unloading by making one tire or another slip to release the tension.

And an axle shaft breaking it's terribly likely, the spider gears in your front diff something internal to the T-case or your transmission output shaft snapping is far more likely.

Wanna see what a broken trans output shaft looks like?

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[Heliguy]

I am not trying be be a jackass, really. I thought axle windeup could only happen on dry surfaces. If driving on ice, snow or mud does the slippery surface not allow the wheels to catch up to one another... eliminating the noise we are talking about?? You seem to know what your talking about so if this is in fact axle windeup how does a guy fix the problem? What causes it to start happening as it didnt do it when the truck was newer? Thanks.