Need help fast!!!

[Treleaven]

So today I am driving to work, no check engine lights, stereo pumping, then I come to a stop when in between songs and hear a grinding noise, I get out and take a look, see nothing dragging(thats what it sounded like) so I kept on to work hoping it was an ice build up from washing it last night. After a 11 hour day of slaving at work, I start driving home and the noise comes back in full force, it sounds like a chain off of a bike just grinding in the front end. I have no idea what it could be or where to begin as I am new to owning a 4x4. I have faith in this truck and hopefully soon she be all good with no issues one after another. I am going to eat dinner, I hope that someone will have the answer to my question by the time I get back so I get working on it tonight. I have already decided to take tomorrow off work as I need to get my truck back up and running...need a vehicle to get to work right. Thanks fellas

 

[Treleaven]

So from doing a little research, I have pin pointed that this is probably a transfer case problem. Does anyone know how much a transfer case usually runs? I will be doing a lot of calling around tomorrow but I just wanted to get an idea so I am not freaking out over night. Also, how horribly bad is it for me to drive it like this? It is supposed to be a blizzard tomorrow and the closest garage I can use is 20 - 30 min away, basically the other side of Edmonton.

If it is just a loose transfer case chain. Is there anyway to just tighten it back up for the time being or just install a new chain and put in some synthetic fluid? Are there any special tools necessary to complete this task?

I have heard that Ford have bad problems with there front ends in cold weather but from doing some research on here I am pretty positive its the chain in the transfer case.

I will continue to scour the internet and this site for information but if you guys have any quick tips for diagnosis or replacement please feel free to advise me.

 

[KPT]

There is no tightening the chain.

You probably have the shift rail bore issue, since you said it happened while coming to a stop. Happens to every 4405 eventually.

You're not going to hurt anything besides the shift fork if that is indeed the problem by driving it 30 mins. This doesn't matter as you should replace it with the omega machine upgraded fork when you rebuild it anyway.

 

[Treleaven]

I have no means, cash, or time to be rebuilding the Transfer Case. Does it sound like the problem? I was hoping to just go hit up a junk yard, rip one out, take it home, clean it up, slap it on, fill it up and away I go.

 

[Treleaven]

Could a good test be to put it up on 4 jack stands and put it in first and see where the noise is coming from exactly? At some points, it was actually jerking the steering wheel.

 

[Treleaven]

Found out the problem was the U joint. Replaced it for $60 bucks which included a 12 pack of beer for the guy who helped me install it and a 12 pack of beer for the guy who pressed the U joint in for me. While underneath, found the rear drive shaft had a small amount of play, but for now I am going to use the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" scenerio. I was on my way to the wreckers to get a transfer case as all the symptons pointed to that and ran into a friend, he took a look and took it for a spin and we determined it was probably the U joint. Problem solved.