03 transfer case issue? help please

[jabbott]

hello all. first timer here and i have received devastating news today about my baby 03 xls. for some time now 6-8 months i have noticed a rubbing noise in the front area of my truck. it has progressively gotten worse. a few days ago i took it into a shop that i trust to do major work and they fixed "a" problem however not "the" problem. in combination of the rubbing there was squealing in the right front. turned out to be the wheel bearing and they fixed that good. however i told them about the rubbing and they assured me the wheel bearing would be it. when i got my truck back today i test drove it and the squealing was fixed, but the rubbing persisted. i use it for work and when it's loaded down its noticibaly worse. i took it back and they hoisted her up and said there was a noise from the transfer case. the noise only happens upon turns from almost a dead stop to the right or left. they reffered me to a tranny expert and he concured. he did a diog. on the computer and no codes came back. he thought this was unusual. he said before we open up the transfer case to drain the transfer case (and to expect the fluid to look and smell smoked and dark perhaps even metal shavings or debris.) and fill with 2 qt of trans fluid and 1 additive of ls 2 (limited slip) i did as he said but the fluid really looked ok. the problem persists. does anyone know if this is really a transfer case issue. i am in dire straights. please help.

 

[Glacier991]

I've having trouble corollating a "rubbing noise" that occurs only when you turn to the transfer case operation. Sounds more like a front diffential or constant velocity joint type of issue.

The transfer case operation does not change when you turn. A diferential or CV joint becomes active in a turn.

 

[jabbott]

thats what i thought so i had them look at all of the front suspension/ steering and they cleared it. the trans guy told me that when i'm turning there is more displacement and the friction plates in the transfer case are "sticking" together, and that the electromagnetic something in there could be faulty. does any of this make sence? he also said that when the transfer case goes it will be noticed and go very quickly and my problem has been long term 6-8 months and over problably 40k miles. i forgot to mention that i have had mismatched tires for about the same amount of time and he said that could of done it. any thoughts. thanks

 

[awdrocks]

i forgot to mention that i have had mismatched tires for about the same amount of time and he said that could of done it. any thoughts. thanks

oooooo.... Whats the diameter size difference in the tires?

 

[jabbott]

same size but one snow tire. one bald also. before

 

[IZwack]

Slap on a new set of tires and see if this noise goes away.

What engine are we talking about here btw? The 4.0 or the 4.8?

 

[jabbott]

did that the day i brought her home, but foiled again. i think i might have to bite the bullett :thumbdwn: