Big snow storm last night. So I needed 4x today. I hear this noise from the front end which almost sounds like a bad wheel bearing, but it only does it with the front hubs locked. Any ideas? Everything seemed to be working properly. Thanks in advance.

 

My bet is a CV joint. With manual hubs, it would only be turning when the hubs were locked. Slide under the truck and check the rubber boots - if they are cracked, your CV joints are shot. Just replace the passenger side half shaft on my 93 4Runner - wasn't too bad.

 

How about checking the level of gear oil in your front differential? Could be low...

 

Yeah, just check whatever only turns in 4wd. CV joints, diff, front driveshaft.

 

if you have manual locking hubs, they are making the noise. take them apart and grease them up and the noise will go away.

lee

 

My '90 4Runner had an intermitent problem after about 130,000 miles with noise from the front axle when I'd engage 4WD in extreme cold . I was told by 2 dealerships that it was the needle bearings and that, although it sounded like hell, it was not damaging to anything. I never did anything about it and sold it in 2002 with 205,000 miles on the odometer. The guy I sold it to said he took it somewhere and had it fixed.

 

To make sure I understand, are you referring to just greasing the manual hubs and not the bearings etc?? In other words, take the hub dial off (10mm bolts), the 12 mm bolt or C clip on end of the axle, the 12mm nuts, lock washers and cone washers off the hub...then grease what? I've never had mine apart so I'm a little lacking on the mechanics of them. I had a noise last winter when the manual hubs were locked at highway speed...only occurred after I had shifted out of 4WD and left the hubs locked. Any details you can provide would be appreciated!

 

Hub rebuilding and maint:
- http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/aisin/index.htm

Don't use too much grease inside the hubs, just a light flim is plently. Too much and it can gum things up and make them not work right.

 

read rogers tips on doing this, if the noise is only there when the hubs are locked, youve found the problem. 1/2 banana job.

lee

 

I hasd the same problem. I changed out the whole driver side CV axle and now it does not do that noise in 4wd.

 

Thanks for the great tips...I'm going to clean and re-grease the manual hubs and see if that cuts out the noise. It sounds like an old farm gate swinging back and forth!!! But only occurs at 50 mph and up.