My left CV halfshaft has been making a clicking noise in 4wd since I replaced it. Its kind of a click/thump. It isn't as rapid as a CV joint problem. It was making this noise before I replaced the shaft as well, and the old part had a ripped boot.

I took it by toyotech today and the guy listened to it. He said that 4wd needs dirt or sand under the wheels to allow the system to have some leeway in turns. 4wd on dry pavement is what was making the noise, according to him. Does anyone agree or disagree with this dude?

 

I would agree with him. If you look at your owners manual it will tell you to only engage 4wd on slipery conditions and not on dry pavement.

 

What he told you was right except that it's not turning that can bind things up, so much as both driveshafts not being able to operate in unison. What that means is if the rear wheels slip, loose traction, the front wheels need to be able to slip the same amount. This will keep your front and rear driveshafts spinning the same, and not causing the stresses involved if not, to be absorbed by the rest of the drivetrain. Turning more exaggerates the possibility these effects.

If, you have full-time 4wd, no 2wd mode, then the guy is totally full of it.

Either way, do like tc says here, cause I don't think I got a better suggestion at this point. It's true what he's sayin about going straight, a lot of people use 4wd to drag boats out of the water. If your pulling straight and are carefull to not spin your wheels, that being the key, your in safe waters. Pardon the pun.

 

Wellllll ... he would be right if you're turning, but going straight should be OK.

I would jack it up and turn the wheels by hand and look to see if a you can tell if it's happening at a certain place each time.