New noise in 4wd....

[Patrol'n]

Howdy blokes and ladies,

So I went for a drive on some tracks today, and all went well, all up until we were driving out on some dirt roads and I started to notice a new noise, I don't generally like new noises 😡

It started out as a light growl (about the best way I can think to describe it), didn't make the noise when accelerating, only when coasting.

Once we hit the blacktop and back in two wheel drive, the noise went away. I then tried driving with the lever in 4 high, but not locking in the hubs, and there was the noise, I also tried driving in 2wd with the hubs locked, and there was the noise again....

I'm assuming that it is related to the front axle, since I think my testing suggests that it isn't gearbox or transfer case, given it occurs in 2wd when the hubs are locked but not when the hubs are unlocked? It also isn't noticeable until above 60ks or so, and doesn't seem to be related to engine revs.

What does everyone else think? Any suggestions, or has anyone else had this problem? (I don't think it's driveline oils, since they were all recently replaced) and from what I could tell today, front and rear wheels were being fed power from the engine.

Here's hoping its something really simple (and cheap) to put right 🤔

[tuckertrucker]

are there any weird vibrations when the noise is being noisy? And does it increase with speed (not revs) once you get to ~60ks?

[threedogs]

I think one of your hubs is not engaging correctly

[Patrol'n]

are there any weird vibrations when the noise is being noisy? And does it increase with speed (not revs) once you get to ~60ks?

There weren't to begin with, but after a bit it did feel like there were, and yep, seemed to get worse with more speed

[Patrol'n]

I think one of your hubs is not engaging correctly

Would that still show up as a problem with the gearbox in 4wd high and the hubs not locked in?

[threedogs]

Yeah if it hasnt dis-engaged properly .

[Patrol'n]

Yeah if it hasnt dis-engaged properly .

Thanks td, I wonder if some of the mud we went through may have gotten into the hubs perhaps.

If that's the problem I'm assuming i can remove the hubs, clean and regrease them and all should be well again?

Or do you think I might have damaged one and a new set would be better?

[BigRAWesty]

Very simple to take stock hubs off.
Simply remove the 6 hex head bolts and pull the hub outwards..
I doubt dirt has gotten in though unless you've done a lot water crossing..
More likely if it's an auto hub it's broken..

[threedogs]

also need to lock them to remove them

[Patrol'n]

Very simple to take stock hubs off.
Simply remove the 6 hex head bolts and pull the hub outwards..
I doubt dirt has gotten in though unless you've done a lot water crossing..
More likely if it's an auto hub it's broken..

We did go through a bunch of muddy standing water, they are manual hubs, and feel smooth but firm to lock, the noise goes away in 2wd, ah well, have to have a look, I'm guessing (hoping) it's not axle or front diff since it's perfectly smooth and noise free when in 2wd, even at highway speed?