FJ62 1988 Banging Noise in 4 Wheel

[TROUTER]

Hi. I have a FJ62 1987 that started a loud banging noise (like a hammer being struck every few seconds) while in 4 wheel drive. It feels like it is coming from under my feet. I have had it to a few mechanics and even had my hubs replaced. Sill makes the noise. I have some info that it might be the transfer case, but under inspection via a mirror and moving the gears, we found no damage. Could it be a clutch we can't see? Do I need to tear it apart and find out? Thanks for the help.

 

[2mbb]

it sounds like something is binding. Do you have the same size tires front and back? Did you change out one of the differentials to a different ratio? Are you driving in circles on dry pavement?

 

[TROUTER]

Do you have the same size tires front and back? - Yes 32" x 10.5" on original 15" wheels.

Did you change out one of the differentials to a different ratio? - No but I was thinking of it since my 32" are boggy.

Are you driving in circles on dry pavement? - Never in 4 wheel.

 

[Firephil]

Does the noise get worse with speed or stay the same? Did you put it in 4wd with the hubs unlocked and see if it makes the noise? How about taking out the front drive line and running it in 4wd and see if it happens? Maybe lock in the hubs but leave the t-case in 2wd. Try every avenue before you pull the case and spend a bunch of money.

 

[TROUTER]

Ok. Just got back from a test drive trying your suggestions. Here are the results:

Hubs locked in 4x4 t-case in 2 wheel - No noise

Hubs unlocked in 2x4 t-case in 4 wheel - No noise

Hubs locked in 4x4 t-case in 4 wheel (High or Low) - Noise!

Noise at speeds - All speeds make noise and even slowing down with breaks. Feels like a bit of a lunge right after the noise.

I did not get a chance to disconnect the front drive line. I see what you are getting at. If no noise with the front drive line disconnected, then it would be in the front diff. If noise, then in t-case. Am I correct?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Firephil]

You may also have a drive line out of balance causing some feed back through the TC. Unhook it and go for a spin in 4wd with the hubs locked in

 

[60Works]

Hubs locked + 2wd = drive shaft and diff spinning = no noise
and
Hubs unlocked + 4wd = drive shaft and diff spinning = no noise
means
Your front drive shaft and diff are spinning fine (unloaded) and are probably not the problem.

I have a 60 with a tcase doesn't always fully engage into 4wd. Sometimes, when under a load in 4wd, it pops out with a sharp snap. But it only pops once until its reengaged.

With a 62 you have an electrically engaged 4wd. Perhaps that solenoid isn't holding it in and is regularly trying to reengage?

I don't know the 62 case but maybe someone else would care to chase that scenario. (or tell me how wrong it is.)

 

[TROUTER]

Ok. Sounds like the front diff and hubs are fine. I still might remove the front drive line to just be sure. Q: When I am in 2x4 on the hubs and engage the t-case in 4x4, the whole drive line spins up to the hubs. If there is no noise until the hubs are engaged into 4x4 and moving, then would that make the issue about load on the drive line? Also the solenoid issue it a great idea. Is there a way to inspect the solenoid to see if it is damaged? If all else fails, should I remove and replace or remove and rebuild? Thanks, I feel like Im getting closer to the answer.

 

[TROUTER]

Thanks for all the help. I have decided to replace the transmission and transfer case. For the price of a rebuild I could afford two replacements from http://www.cruiserparts.net with transmission and transfer case all in one. Got a one year warranty so Ill beat it up and see if it is worth it.

 

[tag3]

Where are you located? Maybe someone could stop by and take a listen before you start dropping all kinds of money into it.

 

[dannymontani]

Hi Guys, jumping in here on this thread. I myself am having the same issue happening on the trusty 85 that I've been doing a semi restore on. When I started on it a few months ago, I was freaked when putting it into 4 wheel. All the posts above were tried. No noise on driving without 4 wheel. The only thing I have not tried yet is removing the drive shaft. hmm. Now this baby was treated finely by the previous owner, even garaged. I am suspicious of a differential issue such as loose bolts floating around in there. Could it be possible? Would driving at high speed cause issue (how high should you anyways)? A very bad lash issue on the pinion? I have been pounding away at mods and I know will post all of my my findings soon as possible. I am also a terrible poster at responding, so please bear with.

 

[TROUTER]

Where are you located? Maybe someone could stop by and take a listen before you start dropping all kinds of money into it.

I have had 3 mechs take a look at it and all point to the T-Case (T-Case fluid was very low during inspection). We even placed microphones to find the noise. Drained all the cases and inspected all the hubs, diffs, and what we could of the T-Case (small port on the side you can inspect the gears). To boot, my trans is banging from 2nd to 3rd, and since you need to open the trans to get to the T-Case, why not kill two birds with one stone (one big stone).

 

[TROUTER]

Hi Guys, jumping in here on this thread. I myself am having the same issue happening on the trusty 85 that I've been doing a semi restore on. When I started on it a few months ago, I was freaked when putting it into 4 wheel. All the posts above were tried. No noise on driving without 4 wheel. The only thing I have not tried yet is removing the drive shaft. hmm. Now this baby was treated finely by the previous owner, even garaged. I am suspicious of a differential issue such as loose bolts floating around in there. Could it be possible? Would driving at high speed cause issue (how high should you anyways)? A very bad lash issue on the pinion? I have been pounding away at mods and I know will post all of my my findings soon as possible. I am also a terrible poster at responding, so please bear with.

Try draining the diff, and transfer case fluid and see if you find metal shavings. If you find shaving you most likely have the culprit.

 

[dannymontani]

Will do tomorrow, if we don't have a first snow. Gonna put a dent in my work horse, and area.

 

[dannymontani]

TROUTER....so much for that, 3in snow so far. Good for our fires. Bear in the apple tree last night, so spending my day putting up electrical fences. Will drain tomorrow hopefully. Crap, and thanks.

 

[TROUTER]

Super cold here to in North Cascades WA. No snow yet. Better finish up my mods on the TLC before my hands are too cold to hold a wrench. At least the Steelhead are going to show up soon. Good luck with your rig.

 

[dannymontani]

...man we'd like to get my paws on some of those babies.....

 

[TROUTER]

Thanks to all for your help. I installed the transmission and gear case from http://www.cruiserparts.net and it works great. Also an added bonus, no more wincing before a gear change clunk between 2nd and 3rd. All said and done it cost half of a rebuild and has a 1yr warranty. Side note: I was on a road trip and stopped by Mudrak's shop in Sonoma, CA (http://mudrak.org). Wow! Great people and they love to talk Cruiser. If you get a chance and stop by. Its worth it to just look at the Cruisers.

 

[Dieseler]

You have left us in the lurch with what the actual problem is I also have the same scenario with one of my Cruisers and was hoping you would have helped to narrow it down,any chance you have ripped into the old trany and Tcase to see what had given out.
Pics of broken parts would be nice also.

 

[TROUTER]

I don't have the time or space to tear it apart. I spent enough having the mechanic install it. It will be a mystery.