Transfer Case Screaming After Snowy Hill

[bootsandpaddles]

Hey all, this morning I had to engage 4wd to get up a long snowy hill in my 2011 4.0L auto Ranger. It was engaged for ~5 mins and I never went above 30 mph.

When I got to the top, I smelled something burning. I pulled off, jumped out to check things out, and noticed a loud, high pitched whine coming from transfer case/transmission area.

I haven't checked the fluids yet, but I'm guessing it's a transfer case issue rather than a transmission issue (shifts smoothly). Does that sound correct? Anyone point me at what to look at before I take it to the shop?

 

[Dirtman]

If it was low on fluid its possible it burned up a bearing. Especially on a steep hill. Does the noise persist while back in 2wd?

Check fluid levels and go from there...

 

[91stranger]

Do you not brush your teeth D-man?

 

[Dirtman]

Do you not brush your teeth D-man?

No and it's never caused transfer case damage. I rarely shower either. I also don't wear socks or underwear and my truck works great. So what's the point?

 

[Curious Hound]

If it was u. Park or neutral when you got out to check it, then there should not have been anything rotating in the transfer case. I’m thinking noise was probably from transmission. Check fluid level and color.

 

[bootsandpaddles]

Update: I took it into the shop and they can't tell what, if anything, is wrong. Fluids all looked good. Drove it and said transmission seemed fine. They listened to the transfer case while it was running on the lift in 4x4 and couldn't replicate the sound.

I've had enough bad luck with vehicles, having this hanging over my head is going to severely impact how much I enjoy this truck.

 

[bootsandpaddles]

If it was low on fluid its possible it burned up a bearing. Especially on a steep hill. Does the noise persist while back in 2wd?

Check fluid levels and go from there...

Yes, when I pulled over and checked it out, it was no longer in 4wd.

 

[bootsandpaddles]

If it was u. Park or neutral when you got out to check it, then there should not have been anything rotating in the transfer case. I’m thinking noise was probably from transmission. Check fluid level and color.

That's what I was most worried about. Fluid level and color look good.

 

[Josh B]

Were you driving in lower gears with higher engine RPMs than usual? I can't see 5 minutes burning a bearing at low speeds. Have you considered things in the motor and exhaust? (namely cat converter)

 

[funguy26]

my makes the same noise in 4 low but nothing in 4 hi or 2wd. Shift in to 4 low and see if it makes the noise.