4x4x diagnostic help

[wtfdissux]

a little back round first when the 4x4 first failed 3 years ago was out of the blue pulled over locked hubs engaged transfer case and ground to a halt like the front brakes were locked solid with a bad pull to the right and almost like a metal grinding sound not high pitch more of a grumble

since then have replaced:

both spindles

spindle bearings twice

wheel bearings twice

manual locking hubs three times (first was along with what was needed to change from the tin hat hubs to normal)

front axles

front axle U-joints

front drive shaft U-joints

hub and rotor (both sides)

complete rear axle drum to drum (had a spare limited slip when the factory trac-loc failed never got around to putting it back in)

the latest when I put it into 4x4 in the correct steps now it feels about the same when it is in the air nothing no problems with engine off 4x4 engaged trany in nuetral turn a fron wheel and all 4 move

put it on the ground fire it up and nothing no go

put in reverse at the most will go about 6 feet and then need to be put back into drive for about the same ok now for my latest questions

can I remove the front drive shaft and put in 4x4 then drive it with the hubs locked if noise is there then do same with the hubs unlocked if it goes away then the prob would be in the diff if not then in the t-case (wondering since it takes major effort to get the t-case into nuetral and is not possible to get it into 4 low so am wondering if it is not fully engaged or internal problems)

sorry for the long post but figured it would be better to give as much info as possible

 

[Roadkill]

ok now for my latest questionscan I remove the front drive shaft and put in 4x4 then drive it with the hubs locked if noise is there then do same with the hubs unlocked if it goes away then the prob would be in the diff if not then in the t-case (wondering since it takes major effort to get the t-case into nuetral and is not possible to get it into 4 low so am wondering if it is not fully engaged or internal problems)

sorry for the long post but figured it would be better to give as much info as possible

I think you've come up with a reasonable plan there. I suspect your problem is in the differential, but with no access cover, the only way to inspect is to remove it. (or maybe look through the oil plug with some kind of mini camera LOL)

Edit:

If I had read the last line of your post, I would have seen the part about your t-case shifting issue. So my assumptions about the diff. are not completely valid. However, I still think your troubleshooting plan is a good one. Sorry, got ahead of myself there.

 

[wtfdissux]

had the axles out recently (when doing the U-Joints) and reaching in could not detect any play in the spider gears or cross shaft

 

[Roadkill]

had the axles out recently (when doing the U-Joints) and reaching in could not detect any play in the spider gears or cross shaft

While you were writing this. I was editing my response. You see, I opened my mouth before I completely read your post. Sorry about that.

 

[wtfdissux]

only worry is if I drive with the front drive shaft out in 4x4 can it damage the t- case?

 

[Roadkill]

only worry is if I drive with the front drive shaft out in 4x4 can it damage the t- case?

If you only do it at very low speed and just far enought to listen/feel for your problems I don't see why it would hurt.

 

[broncobob58]

Iv'e never had any problems shifting the T-case on mine until recently.I can't put mine into 4WLow or neutral either but 4WHigh works fine.I Also developed a groaning sound in the area of the T-case on acceleration in 2W .My U-joints all checked out good.I may have to get another T-case.I had to reply when I heard you were having similar trouble trying to shift yours into 4L and neutral.I'll have to check mine out when I get the chance.

 

[Justshootme84]

Take the front driveshaft off and try your test. IT shouldn't hurt anything, unless you have a problem in the front diff or axles when you lock the hubs in.

 

[wtfdissux]

did not get a chance to get the shaft out last week but did a little bit of tinkering when rolling in drive 4x4 engaged acoring to my boss it looks like the left (drivers side) front wheel is wobbleing/getting an ABS pulse type stop but first off my truck does not have front ABS and I was not touching the brake pedal was actually able to get up to about 20 mph or so when turning it feels like I am actually sliding around (fish tailing) also did find out they front is not a locker type (evidenced by a rooster tail from the front when backing up in the snow) and from lookiong into the diff-axle holes