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4 wheel drive noise

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Old Dec 10, 2012 | 06:45 PM
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Default 4 wheel drive noise

I was driving in 4x4 today in the snowy mountains. She drove great, but I noticed a bit of noise coming through the floor when in 4x4. The noise would only be heard while rolling down the road, but would go away when I would accelerate, or brake. The noise is kind of a whirring, not a grinding.
I havent had to drive too much in 4 wheel drive, so I just wanted to know if this is a completely normal noise, or not.
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Wonka1981
I was driving in 4x4 today in the snowy mountains. She drove great, but I noticed a bit of noise coming through the floor when in 4x4. The noise would only be heard while rolling down the road, but would go away when I would accelerate, or brake. The noise is kind of a whirring, not a grinding.
I havent had to drive too much in 4 wheel drive, so I just wanted to know if this is a completely normal noise, or not.
if it were me...i would look in the vehicle history and see if you ever had the diff and t case fluid changed...old fluid might not be as "oily" as you think

i know my old 91 rear and front diff....pulled off the cover and it was almost water.
milky white in color....didnt have oil properties at all...

going into winter...get them changed...not hard to do yourself....and then see if the noise is still there....my guess is it wont be

i think front and rear diff's are 80w90 gear oil with limited slip additive in the rear...

i suggest valvoline gear oil
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Old Dec 11, 2012 | 05:21 PM
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Have you ever checked the levels in your transfer case and diffs?
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Old Dec 12, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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Thanks for the Info Black2000XJ.
That is a maintenance item that i needed to get done. I had the levels checked a while ago and all was okay, but have never had the fluid changed since I have had the jeep for the last 28000 miles. Got it done yesterday on both axles. Payed more than I would have liked to, considering if the weather was better and I had a garage and a free day, could have done it myself, but it is done. I did stick her in 4x4 and while rolling the noise was still the same. I still have better piece of mind now that I got the diff fluids changed though.
I will have to look into the noise a bit more, although maybe it is just the normal noise of the front driveshaft spinning on a 13 year old car.
Any other ideas would be appreciated though
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Old Dec 12, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by cruiser54
Have you ever checked the levels in your transfer case and diffs?
thanks cruiser. Got the diffs changed yesterday. Today ill get under and check the transfer case. It was filled recently, but there was a small leak at the speedo drive that I fixed, so maybe I lost a decent amount

just to double check, what is the fluid I should use for the transfer case. I have heard mixed reports. Some say ATF +4?, some say dex.?

Thanks
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 05:27 PM
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Still having the noise coming from underneath when I am rolling without accelerating in 4 high.

Any other ideas?
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Wonka1981
Still having the noise coming from underneath when I am rolling without accelerating in 4 high.

Any other ideas?
Have you check for play in DS's?
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 06:30 PM
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Pretty sure it's normal, unless it's really loud. Even the brand new Silverado 2500HD I plow snow with does this when I put it in 4.
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 09:49 PM
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MinE does and all fluids been changed out. I'm useing mine right now as we speak. First snow of the year
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 05:42 PM
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Sorry to bring this thread back, but I am still experiencing the same noise when in 4wd. I dont remember it always being there. All fluids have been changed out, no noticeable movement in front DS. Any other ideas as to what this might be?
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Wonka1981
Sorry to bring this thread back, but I am still experiencing the same noise when in 4wd. I dont remember it always being there. All fluids have been changed out, no noticeable movement in front DS. Any other ideas as to what this might be?
When it quits doing the 4x4 whine then worry....
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
When it quits doing the 4x4 whine then worry....
True, probably a bearing or something, when it's done doing it's thing you'll know. Only way to know for sure is to pull it & look at it.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
True, probably a bearing or something, when it's done doing it's thing you'll know. Only way to know for sure is to pull it & look at it.
No seriously all 4x4s ive had wine in 4 wheel drive . like a torque wine like direct drive timing sets do.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
No seriously all 4x4s ive had wine in 4 wheel drive . like a torque wine like direct drive timing sets do.
Mine doesn't unless it's in lo.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
Mine doesn't unless it's in lo.
Thats all i run im stick shift low range 3rd gear .
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