Background: Due to the snow we've gotten lately here in Denver, I've been driving around with my hubs locked all the time and switching between 2wd and 4wd whenever necessary. I've spun all four tires a few times, and have hit a couple of semi-deep potholes in the snowpack, but I don't think I've been too hard on the truck at all.

Today, though, I've started hearing a noise from the driver's side front end and kind of under the floorboard near my feet. It's totally intermittent and doesn't seem to be related to steering. It sounds like a severe whine or groan, almost as if something metallic is trying to bind up but doesn't quite. Any suggestions as to what this could be? I changed the front diff oil over the summer and hadn't really put it in 4wd until it snowed a month ago, but there are no leaks so I can't think that I'd be low on oil. Could the CV be on its way out? Diff? Hub? Any ideas are welcome.

 

Your wheel bearings and brass sleeves. Might just be your bearings have dried out. I had the same things happened to me. Started to do it on and off until it wouldn’t go away. I ended up replacing the bearing and the brass sleeves.

I thought it was just the bearings so I replaced those. Noise was still there so I went to the dealership and got new bushings. Ive put 2000 miles on the truck since then no noise. There are some write-ups on here that show you how to do it. They say it takes 6-10 hours only took me like 2 or so.

You can get the bearings from the Wabbit http://wabfab.org/products/axle/axle.htmand if you have a straight axle you can get the bushings here to. I have IFS so i got mine from dealership.

There are alot of post's about this just search.

 

I did wheel bearings back in February though, and I'm pretty sure I packed a bunch of grease in there, so I had kinda ruled that out. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to pull one apart and see though.

 

Where you able to figure out the problem?? My truck just started doing the same thing and sometimes it on the drivers side and sometimes on the passenger side and then together. I think it has something to do with my hubs. (I have the automatic hubs on the truck.) I live in Cheyenne and it started with this last cold snap. Let me know what you have found out.

 

Its the brass bushing in you spindles

 

Thanks,
After more searching found the answer but thank you for replying.

 

Are these true?

2wd, hubs locked - noise
4wd, hubs locked - no noise
2wd, hubs unlocked - no noise

Then definitely the spindle bushing. You can either fab the lubricator tool toyota_mdt_tech created, or pull the CV's and grease the bushings heavily.

I did it a few months ago. If you need help, let me know - my garage isn't heated, but it's better than nothing!

 

Those are true, AFAIK. It actually hasn't done it for quite some time but did tonight in 2wd, hubs locked, and it was more of a protracted but quieter noise. Sounded like the passenger side was involved this time, whereas it was only the driver's side before.

I appreciate the offer - I may take you up on that.

 

hey hey hey you can drive in two wheel drive with the front hubs locked?? how and why wont that mess up the transfer case??

 

If you have manual hubs, sure you can. As a matter of fact, that's how all ADD trucks function.

It won't mess up the transfer case because the front drive system is disconnected in 2WD