2000 Eddie Bauer 4.0 SOHC Loud Noise from front in 4x4

[jkboliphant]

Hello all, let me begin by saying thanks ahead of time for all of your insight.
As the title says I have noticed a loud almost grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle only when in 4x4 and especially noticeable when making sharp turns both left and right. I though I had bad CV half shafts so I just replaced those and the noise got better, but did not go away. Is this normal noise for a 4x4 when in 4x4. I have had the truck for 3 years and very rarely use 4x4 so I'm not sure what is normal and what is not. Is my noise normal 4x4 behavior or is this a sign of a bigger problem? Is there a way to further diagnose this potential problem? Again, this is only in 4x4, it drives perfectly in AUTO. Thanks again.

 

[96eb96]

Hello all, let me begin by saying thanks ahead of time for all of your insight.
As the title says I have noticed a loud almost grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle only when in 4x4 and especially noticeable when making sharp turns both left and right. I though I had bad CV half shafts so I just replaced those and the noise got better, but did not go away. Is this normal noise for a 4x4 when in 4x4. I have had the truck for 3 years and very rarely use 4x4 so I'm not sure what is normal and what is not. Is my noise normal 4x4 behavior or is this a sign of a bigger problem? Is there a way to further diagnose this potential problem? Again, this is only in 4x4, it drives perfectly in AUTO. Thanks again.

are you on dry pavement or sand/snow/mud? 4X4 is not meant to be used on dry pavement, lets get that out of the way.

 

[jkboliphant]

I'm on dry flat pavement, I realize that one would normally not use 4x4 on dry pavement but I am trying to sell it so the potential buyers are putting it in 4x4 and making turns and hearing the noise so I need to know whether or not to worry about this. I currently live in Oklahoma so the only time 4x4 is needed is 2-5 times a year when it snows/freezes. Some added information, not sure if it helps or not. When in 4WD HI and in reverse no bad noises, when doing tight circles going very slow, no noises either direction turning left or right. Now if I turn at a higher rate of speed i get the noise, i'm really hoping all this is normal. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[gavin]

check the front driveshaft.

the front shaft is probably a GKN-CV style, with the CV at the transfer case.

those joints go bad.

good chance that's what it is.

 

[jkboliphant]

Where and what exactly would i be looking for? The only CV style joints i see are in the half shafts coming from the front differential, which I just replaced yesterday. Thanks.

 

[my98nnj]

The noise is normal, you can not make slow speed hard turns in 4x4 Hi or Low on non slippery surfaces. (ie dry roadway) That information is also in your owners manual.