1999 4Runner 4WD tapping noise
 

Hi All,


I need to get my 4Runner ready for the winter... I have a 1999 3.4 SR5 with automatic transmission that may need some 4WD maintenance.

The last time I attempted to use the 4WD I noticed a fairly rapid tapping noise. It did not sound particularly destructive so my hope is that it is something simple that I can fix myself.

All of the lights on the dash act normally. The green 4WD light comes on so I assume that the 4WD is engaging as it should. When I shifted out of 4WD the tapping noise did not stop immediately but rather it takes 2 or 3 seconds to go from a rapid tapping noise to stopped. It sounds like when moving out of 4WD there is something that continues to rotate for a couple of seconds and then stops and perhaps the tapping noise is associated with this.

Anyway, I searched around a bit but could not find any info that seems to fit my symptoms. If anyone can point me in the right direction (reference to a technical article etc) I would much appreciate it.


Thanks,
Ken.

I'm still needing some advice on this problem if anyone has any on offer? I have since noticed the following thread…

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/d...hen-4wd-53396/

The symptoms appear to match closely to what I have (although my 4Runner is not Limited edition so no button but rather a stick shift for 4WD). I guess that I will go through that thread and grease components as suggested.

The noise only occurs with 4WD engaged and the noise seems to correlate with car speed. Also when I disengage 4WD the tapping slows and then stops within a couple of seconds. One more thing… I do happen to have a broken front drivers side sway bar linkage (on my list of things to fix). Any chance that this could be related to the 4WD noise?