Hello everyone,
Last month I went wheeling in Big Bear after the snow they had, I went through a mud hole that caused my alternator to fail earlier this month. I ordered a high amp alternator and installed it, and everything has been fine since or so I thought.
This past week, I decided to change my diff fluids because I heard some humming noises and thought water had gotten in. When I opened the rear diff fill plug, the fluid looked clean and was dripping out, so I did not change it. I noticed a leak on the transfer case, so I drained and refilled it and added AT205. The leak is now gone, and the magnet only had sludge, no metal flakes or anything shiny. I also greased U joints until grease came out and slip yoke (not enough to move it) to avoid stressing the driveshaft.)
When I went to drain the front diff, the drain plug was extremely tight. To avoid stripping it or causing damage, I sprayed it with PB Blaster and let it soak.
Within the past few days, the humming noise got loud on the freeway from the front. At first, I thought it was dirty front diff fluid or possibly wheel bearings. On Sunday, while driving on the freeway around 70 to 75 mph, I heard a single clunk or pop and immediately slowed down. After I exited, I started hearing clunking at low speeds. It happens from barely moving up to about 30 mph. I thought it might be my U joints needing grease, but greasing them made no difference. The clunking sounded like it was coming from the rear, almost like something was hitting as the tires were turning.
I went ahead and repacked one front passenger wheel bearing thinking I was going to open it up and see dry bearings. The bearing looked great and still had fresh grease throughout, with only a small amount of dirty grease. After the test drive, nothing changed. I also went up 2 snap ring sizes for the CV. I have the slee tool ordered to grease the needle bearing not sure if a needle bearing will make clicking noise and humming.
I then drained the front diff fluid and it was black. When I inspected the magnet, I found a few very small chunks stuck to it, maybe 5 to 8 pieces. I refilled it with fresh fluid, but there was no change in the humming or clunking still the same. I am still thinking the noise is coming from the rear.
I took it to a friend who has access to a lift. With all four wheels in the air and the center diff lock engaged, I pressed the gas while he listened underneath. He said the clunk is coming only from the front diff. Nothing from the rear or transfer case.
I have zero vibrations in the cabin, which is why I do not think it is U joints, even though I already have front and rear U joints on order. My CV axles are OEM and have not slung any grease. I do wheel the truck, but I am not doing hardcore crawling or spinning tires like crazy to shock the diff. I never heard grinding noises from the diff even now the truck drives fine , with no grinding. The only issues are the low speed clunking from the front and the front end humming, almost like I am driving on mud terrains. For reference, I have less than 2k miles on my Falken Wildpeak AT4 tires. They are 255/85/16.
When I purchased the car through auction it already came with armor all around and winch. So previous owners probably wheeled pretty hard in AZ. I am located in SoCal. Just not sure is it the diff? If so what parts can give these symptoms? or can it be something else
Any input is appreciated!
Last month I went wheeling in Big Bear after the snow they had, I went through a mud hole that caused my alternator to fail earlier this month. I ordered a high amp alternator and installed it, and everything has been fine since or so I thought.
This past week, I decided to change my diff fluids because I heard some humming noises and thought water had gotten in. When I opened the rear diff fill plug, the fluid looked clean and was dripping out, so I did not change it. I noticed a leak on the transfer case, so I drained and refilled it and added AT205. The leak is now gone, and the magnet only had sludge, no metal flakes or anything shiny. I also greased U joints until grease came out and slip yoke (not enough to move it) to avoid stressing the driveshaft.)
When I went to drain the front diff, the drain plug was extremely tight. To avoid stripping it or causing damage, I sprayed it with PB Blaster and let it soak.
Within the past few days, the humming noise got loud on the freeway from the front. At first, I thought it was dirty front diff fluid or possibly wheel bearings. On Sunday, while driving on the freeway around 70 to 75 mph, I heard a single clunk or pop and immediately slowed down. After I exited, I started hearing clunking at low speeds. It happens from barely moving up to about 30 mph. I thought it might be my U joints needing grease, but greasing them made no difference. The clunking sounded like it was coming from the rear, almost like something was hitting as the tires were turning.
I went ahead and repacked one front passenger wheel bearing thinking I was going to open it up and see dry bearings. The bearing looked great and still had fresh grease throughout, with only a small amount of dirty grease. After the test drive, nothing changed. I also went up 2 snap ring sizes for the CV. I have the slee tool ordered to grease the needle bearing not sure if a needle bearing will make clicking noise and humming.
I then drained the front diff fluid and it was black. When I inspected the magnet, I found a few very small chunks stuck to it, maybe 5 to 8 pieces. I refilled it with fresh fluid, but there was no change in the humming or clunking still the same. I am still thinking the noise is coming from the rear.
I took it to a friend who has access to a lift. With all four wheels in the air and the center diff lock engaged, I pressed the gas while he listened underneath. He said the clunk is coming only from the front diff. Nothing from the rear or transfer case.
I have zero vibrations in the cabin, which is why I do not think it is U joints, even though I already have front and rear U joints on order. My CV axles are OEM and have not slung any grease. I do wheel the truck, but I am not doing hardcore crawling or spinning tires like crazy to shock the diff. I never heard grinding noises from the diff even now the truck drives fine , with no grinding. The only issues are the low speed clunking from the front and the front end humming, almost like I am driving on mud terrains. For reference, I have less than 2k miles on my Falken Wildpeak AT4 tires. They are 255/85/16.
When I purchased the car through auction it already came with armor all around and winch. So previous owners probably wheeled pretty hard in AZ. I am located in SoCal. Just not sure is it the diff? If so what parts can give these symptoms? or can it be something else
Any input is appreciated!
What do you think went wrong with the diff? Any clunking or just the humming? I’d be interested if you took it apart to see what was wrong with it