Here's a fun little diagnostic puzzle for anyone who feels inclined to offer some informed advice

So I have a stock '89 4runner, although right now its looking more like a 2runner. The issue is that when I engage the 4wd, after about half a block something binds to the point that the truck is practically glued to the asphalt. (Haven't been able to test on gravel or snow lately, although seemed to work fine recently on those surfaces). This binding remains even when the clutch is disengaged (ie pedal down), until I take the vehicle out of 4wd, which btw is very difficult to do once 'the binding' takes hold. However, there is no unusual noise.

We jacked up one side of the rear end, and found that everything apparently turns normally in and out of 4wd, including the front hubs. So it seems that the binding is happening only when some force is applied to the gears.

My questions are: Am I looking at a destroyed/damaged beyond repair transfer case, or could this simply be a seized bearing? I'm told that in either case, it would basically be essential to open up the tcase and remove any loose metal shards, something I can't personally take on. True? Or could a seized bearing cause these symptoms without being totally shredded, and so be repairable in a typical <4 hrs of shop time?

Thanks much for any advice here. Just trying to keep one more old truck on the road for another ten years, and restore it to its rightful '4'runner status !

eric

 

have you replaced a third? sounds like if your driving in a straight line the gear ratios are different front to rear and it is binding everything up. could have 4.10 in the front and say 4.30 in the rear for a half a block.

 

Sounds like you might have different size tires on the front and rear. Or possible a different gear ratio in one diff, but that would stop you in about 10-20 feet, not half a block (ask me how I know lol)

There might not be any damage yet to the t-case but I wouldn't keep doing that.

 

Did it ever work ok?
You're not trying to turn corners on a high grip surface are you?

 

in a gear drive case, its gotta be different tires or gears, measure from ground to the bottom of the wheel and make them all the same then see if it binds.

 

unless its like marc says its binding while turning that will happen on the street

 

Man, I had not thought about the tires! My broke ass recently bought two pairs of used tires that don't entirely match I will have to look into that possibility..now that would be an easy fix. thanks guys!

 

Yeah its always best to buy tires in sets of 4, especially with a 4WD or AWD vehicle.