Need help determining problem: hub bearing, cv axle, or transfer case!

[2kuhl4u]

Was driving my 97 XLT 5.0 and heard a low pitch metal noise coming from the front driver's side and then it became a terrible metal clunking noise! Just had the cv axle and ball joints replaced about 8 months ago. Jacked the truck up and pulled the tire off and turned the hub assembly and only goes so far then it kinds of binds up (in the same exact spot each time) but you have turn it harder then you can get it to free up. Any suggestions?

 

[2kuhl4u]

I have taken the wheel hub bearing off and doesn't seem to show any signs of being seized. CV axle seems to have nothing wrong with it. How can I tell if it is something with the transfer case? PLEASE can anyone give me some advice?

 

[MercuryMullet]

I'd pull the drive shaft, then spin it again to isolate the front diff, bearings and cv. Then go from there, if its free then look at the xfer case. If it still binds its in the front. Sorry it isn't much.

 

[Kevlar7R]

is yours all wheel drive?

This sounds EXACTLY like my awd issues a while back. I replaced wheel bearings, cv axles, brake calipers... No change. It turned out that the noise was the cv joint in the front drive shaft. It had failed as a result of the tcase failing. The viscous coupling had locked up, so essentially the truck was in 4x4 high all the time.

Take your front drive shaft off and go for a drive. If the sound goes away, then start looking for a new tcase and shaft, or think about doing a 4406 swap (which is what I did... SO happy!)

If this does end up being your diagnosis, it is safe to drive for a while with the front shaft off, just use your parking brake as the truck may creep in park. When the tcase is hot, that failed coupling will be locked solid. When it cools off, it will slip a little, just enough to let the rear drive shaft turn a bit.

 

[2kuhl4u]

Yes it is AWD.

 

[Kevlar7R]

Well then. See above.

Pull your front dshaft and go for a drive. If it's all better than it's your tcase and dshaft.

 

[2kuhl4u]

Thanks alot for the info! You hit the nail on the head! It is the transfer case!

 

[Kevlar7R]

No problem! Do a search for 4406 swap. I am MuCH happier with true 4x4 vs. Awd. Or, just leave the shaft off and you have a 2 wheel drive. I drove mine with the front shaft off for several years, probably 30,000 miles.

 

[2kuhl4u]

I would really like just to leave the shaft out and drive it until spring when the weather is nicer (garage not heated) to fix it but I am thinking I need to get it done especially since we are already suppose to be getting snow by Sunday! Got to love the midwest weather!

How much more was the expense going to the 4406?

 

[MercuryMullet]

There is a sticky on exactly what you need. You also have time to collect parts, might save some money.

 

[Kevlar7R]

I probably spent the same for my 4406 swap as I would have for new front drive shaft and used tcase. Not sure I trust a used awd tcase, since those viscous couplings like to fail, and its hard to tell with your hands if it's failed or not, since when it's cold, there is some slip.

 

[MercuryMullet]

I probably spent the same for my 4406 swap as I would have for new front drive shaft and used tcase. Not sure I trust a used awd tcase, since those viscous couplings like to fail, and its hard to tell with your hands if it's failed or not, since when it's cold, there is some slip.

I have a manual shift xfer case. I agree, I wouldn't put back the awd. Might be cheaper since you can go used with the swap and I wouldn't trust a used awd xfer case.

 

[2kuhl4u]

Thanks for all the info! I am really leaning towards NOT putting the awd back in. I wasnt pleased in the first place about it being awd when I bought the vehicle.