I've got an 88 yoda pickup 3.0. With the recent snow we have been getting the 4x4 has been in use a bit more than normal. I went about 2 week without a problem using the 4x4 when it was really icy or deep snow. The rest of the time the 4x4 was no engaged. I leave my hubs locked in so I can pop in out of 4x4 when needed.

Yesterday I started hearing a chirping noise coming from the front end. The chirp changes depending on speed. Happens when 4x4 is engaged or disengaged. Doesn't matter. I can only get the chirp to go away when I unlock my hubs.

I checked diff to make sure it had enough oil and it's full. Only thing I can think of is that there is a problem with my hubs.

Thoughts?

 

Your gears between front and rear diffs dont match would be my guess. Its your tires skidding down the road because they are rotating slower. You wouldn't notice that in snow or ice.

 

I don't think that is it. It happens on ice/snow and dry. It also happens when I'm in 2wd. Only difference is my hubs are locked.

 

Well it has something to do with the front driveline spinning. If you have different gears in the front that will cause the chirping. Check on dry pavement somtime and see if it leaves rubber. Otherwise check and make sure nothing is caught up around the front driveshaft.

 

If it only happens when the hubs are locked I would take a look at the CV boots to be sure that they aren't torn. You might need to pull the hubs and be sure that they are still greased also.