So I took the passenger side of my axle apart and pulled the axle out and noticed that my birfield was fine, there was no play and had 100% mobility every which way I could turn it. I put the axle back in and turned the axle and the driveshaft would move and when I spun the driveshaft, the axle would move, everything felt fine and worked like it should.

My problem is that, with everything back together and my hubs locked, I am able to spin the passenger side tire with enough initial force that the axle somehow disengages from somewhere. I was thinking the Warn hub on that side is broken and will intermittently grab but fail under load. After I put everything back together and tested out 4WD, I was able to drive around in 4WD again but anything uphill would pop. The hub seemed to be working but I couldn't see anything broken with all the grease and didn't suspect them to be the problem before reinstalling them.

Does this sound like it's a hub problem or something in the carrier? The driver's side seems to have no problems. The problem started after hearing a pop while spinning my tires trying to climb a steep hill, afterwards, I could feel something trying to grab, then POP. I don't know much about the carrier so I'm not sure if it's possible the break anything in them. The pop doesn't sound internal either.

 

Was there anything broken in your hubs when you took it apart? Warn hubs aren't the strongest option for hubs on the Toyota axle, the standard Aisin hub is much stronger.

 

Not that I could see but it was loaded with grease. It seemed to be working properly but the locker part was very wobbly and suspended with just small springs. I've never seen a working warn hub or any hub so it's hard to tell if it's broken. I remember it was engaging, then disengaging with the tire on but when I just grabbed the birfield, I could never recreate the problem but then again, I only had one side off the ground. With both tires off the ground though and me spinning them, it all felt fine until I spun the passenger side tire backwards quickly.

 

I'd pull it apart and clean it up, always a good idea when looking for problems to clean the grease off, as it can hide damage.

 

Sounds like it could be a manual hub. Did you inspect the wheel bearings and trunnion bearings?

 

Yeah, the bearings are fine, they have been recently replaced.

If this doesn't sound like anything related to the carrier, then it's probably the hubs. I'll take it apart and see if I can find anything obvious.

 

I would agree Warn hubs are junk

 

My hubs are warn premiums and are fine. Birfields are fine too.

I can drive around in 4x4 but as soon as there is any stress I hear a loud pop and no more help from the front tires. I'm thinking it could be something in the carrier but what could it be?

I reeeeeally don't want to take the front end apart and have to leave my truck sitting outside on stands for a fews days while I wait for parts or even just to figure out what the problem is. Any ideas?

I have a spare carrier from a rear axle. Maybe I should just swap out the gears and switch out carriers?

 

Recently when climbing steep grades I will hear a buzzing from what sounds like the front left wheel. I am not sure what causes it, but when it happens my front wont grab at all. It is like I am in 2wd.

I took the hub apart and even replaced it with my spare, but yesterday it was buzzing like crazy...and got me stuck enough to need a little tug.

I dont know if I have a birf, spline or spider gear issue.

My stuck pic....

 

Pull the carrier and check for damage as it is pretty easily done. If the birfs and carrier looks fine, then you have a t-case issue.


You have bees that have built a hive in your knuckle.

Both sides do this or just the left wheel? So the left side buzzes and BOTH sides stop working in 4WD?

Time to start tearing into the axle as well and visually inspecting things for damage. But if it is both sides...sounds like you need to check out the carrier too.

What kind of locker do you have?

 

Open front Wabbit. I have a newly re-geared TRD E-locker on my garage floor.....guess its time to install it and check my birfs and splines.

Anyone wanna help?

 

I would if I was in CA

I need more Toyota 4x4 friends to hang out with.

Too many silly Jeep drivers.