tyhuck

I just bought a 98 Tacoma a couple of weeks ago and put it in 4wd today. I put it in 4Hi, locked the hubs, and when I let off the clutch i heard a loud clunk. I heard it again as I rolled down a small hill and again as I made a turn. I then put it back in 2wd and proceeded to my hunting blind. On the way out I put it back in 4Hi and locked the hubs, and this time I had no problem. Has anyone had similar problems.

I dont know when the 4wd was las used. My father-in-law said it could just be the hubs getting a workout after a long time of not being used. Tell me what you guys think.

Also, Ive never had manual locking hubs, so do I shift into 4wd then lock the hubs or vice versa (or does it even matter).

Thanks for your help in advance. Im a Yota newbie and a former Jeeper.

SoCalPaul

With manual hubs, you should lock the hubs first, then shift to 4Hi. The clunking may be related to the order you locked the hubs. You can drive with the front hubs locked in 2Hi so you can lock the hubs before you get to the mud or whatever, then you can use 4x4 as needed.

Paul

crolison

The only noise you will hear from the manual hubs is a little click.

project91

Toyota recommends driving it with the hubs locked for a few miles each month to keep things lubricated and freed up..that could have been the issue..

tyhuck

So can I just run it in 2wd with the hubs locked?

Any certain speed I should stay under?

How many miles is a few?

I live about 30 miles from my hunting area, and most of the way its 65 - 70mph. Is this too far or too fast?

I also live 10 miles from work and its also 70mph.

Im sorry for being so uneducated on this, but like I said, this is my first Toyota. All of my Jeeps had solid axels and auto locking hubs. Ims just getting used to the loking hubs and IFS. Please bear with me.

kinzer

i wouldn't recommend going that fast with the hubs locked. basically put the hubs in when you get to an area you think you might need them where your gonna stay under 45. your front diff isnt made for going that fast. and personally i dont think its the hubs. my 89 pickup does the same thing sometimes and iv found it to be the axles, theres a bit of play in the cv joints and when i go from reverse to 1st they tend to make a clunk, only in 4wd too. and i have ADD so my hubs are always locked.

tyhuck

I thought it may be the axel joints because the last (loudest and most jarring) time it did it I was making a fairly sharp turn on a level surface. Im gonna try it again today and see if anything changed. I guess Ill just use it as long as it is working.

BajaRunner

Where was the noise coming from?

Yes, lube all the u-joints in the front.

Could be that the truck was not in 4wd for a long time.

tyhuck

The noise wa definatley in the front end. I am not sure where exctly.

How do I get to the U joints?
Anything in particular that I should use to lube them?

kinzer

use a grease gun to lube the u joints, there should be at least 4 between the transfer case and differential. but if you dont know how you should take the truck to a shop and have them check out the front cv shafts, if the boots are torn the joints are usually bad but not always the case.

tyhuck

I cecked te boots thefirst time I heard the noise and they all checked out. I was just thinking about taking it to a shop and have them look at the whole 4wd system, from transfer case to wheel hubs.

SoCalPaul

I don't recall a speed limit with the hubs locked, but don't use 4X4 on dry pavement. You should check or get an owners manual for your truck. I would wait until you get to the area where you might need 4x4 then lock the hubs & use as needed.

The clunk may have been from lack of use & lubrication of the front driveline.

Paul

tyhuck

I locked the hubs but kept it in 2wd as I crept around the lease today. I still heard some clunks and pops, and I noticed that right before the noise the steering gets really tight when turned to the right. Its like the wheels are in a bind, then clunk, and the wheel turns easily. I didnt notice it to the left.

I was worried that the noise may have been from the axel or dif. but I now think its in the hubs. What do you think?

P.S. -- I have Aisin hubs. Are these stock or has someone upgraded?

kinzer

aisin hubs are stock toyota parts but someone may have put them in if the truck came with automatic hubs. but now its starting to sound more like steering. im not good at diagnosing thought, i just replace the parts...

SoCalPaul

Sounds like it might be your CV joints binding. When I had manual hubs, I could drive with the hubs locked & run 2wd with no noise or steering feedback.

Most likely the previous owner rarely or never used 4wd & did not lock the hubs to keep the front driveline lubed. Possibly servicing the CV joints might fix the problem, but be prepared to replace 1 or both front axle assemblies.

Put the front up on some jack stands & with the hubs locked & steering cranked to the right, rotate the wheel & see if you can locate the bind.

Paul

tyhuck

So if I need to replace the axel assmeblies, which brand do you suggest I use? I know I could just go to the Toyota parts house but I dont want to spend more just for the name. If I can I would like to use an upgraded version. Any suggestions would be appreciated.