Grinding Noise from front end!!! Please Help (1 Viewer)

[cruiserhunter]

So here is what's happening. I was about order sliders to get welded on on the 20th. I got into my FJ60 that had been sitting for 3 wks (out of town and no time to play with her). I had locked the from bus and put her in 4H to get out of the snowbank that surround her. She got out easily and I started drivin.

Here is the weird/ scary part. When I would coast there would be this grinding/rumbling noise from the front end, I think primarly from the passenger's from end. It only occurs when i am coasting and is worse when coasting at higher speeds.

She is still makin that noise and i am freaked out, trying to decide if i should by the slders or save the money for what ever is busted.
Oh.. Front end rebuild about a year or so ago.

Please let me know what you think and thanks so much for your help,

Patrick

 

[knowaste]

Have same symptoms on an 86 FJ60...am pretty sure its the front differential...no noised under load but as soon as i'm off the gas it starts growling.
I have thought it was a pinon angle problem stemming from an OME upgrade, but have also rebuilt the front knuckles in the last six months so it may be there as well?
Hope we find the issue...
justin

 

[Michael Hanson]

Unlock your front hubs and see if the noise is still there. Mi ke

 

[D'Animal]

Check your fluid level in your front diff and then drain the oil while straining it through Cheese cloth. Look for metal debris that may be a result of a pinion bearing or carrier going bad.


Under acceleration the pinion is driving the ring gear and is pulled into it due to the helical cut of the gear. When coasting the ring gear is driving the pinion. Check for any play in the driveshaft at the pinion.


I had the same problem and it ended up being the T-Case. The PO had ran it without oil at one time or another.

 

[BG_TX]

Same thing here... At slow speeds it is fine (so it seems), above 25-30mph in 4H there is grinding from the front when coasting.

Engaging 4H with the hubs in the 'free' position will result in some nasty grinding... I have made that mistake a couple of times.

 

[coolotisdog]

Yeah I would check your transmission. I had the exact problem and it turned out my transmission was empty....

 

[cruiserhunter]

Damn thing will not get out of 4wd!!!!! WIll not shift out. It's 10 degrees outside and i'm not up for the idea of laying down in the road tonight. Got a tech day on the 20th so might find so help.

Will try and check fluid during some sunlight tomorrow.

thanks for all your input

Patrick

 

[wampiFZJ80]

Same issue on 80 series

I have the same issue on my 94 FZJ80. When I accelerate the truck is fine, but as soon as I release the gas,there is a horrible grinding noise. The mechannic already checked the breaks and replaced the some parts. Since that did not fix it, he checked the drive shaft alligment and no issues there. Finally, he ended up rebulding the transfer case and the dam noise is still there. Next week he will check the front diferential. Have any one figure this out yet?

 

[BG_TX]

I haven't yet, I have not had a chance to dedicate any time to it after my first approach did not fix the problem. I already had ujoints on order since I had some driveline vibes (replaced them all) and I was hoping that would fix it but it didn't. Next step for me will be D'Animal's suggestion (drain diff with cheese cloth and look for debris).

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I have the same issue on my 94 FZJ80. When I accelerate the truck is fine, but as soon as I release the gas,there is a horrible grinding noise. The mechannic already checked the breaks and replaced the some parts. Since that did not fix it, he checked the drive shaft alligment and no issues there. Finally, he ended up rebulding the transfer case and the dam noise is still there. Next week he will check the front diferential. Have any one figure this out yet?

With your rig being full-time 4wd, I personally would have looked at the front diff before rebuilding the t-case. I'd venture this is where your mechanic will find the problem.

 

[CTFJ]

Diff fluid check first. When I drove mine home from buying it, had the same noise. Front diff fluid was mud. Easy things first before rebuilding anything...

The coast/accelerate is definitely indicative of the ring & pinion meshing. Ineffective oil makes noise. Could be better or worse in 4wd. Hubs locked, you're dragging the entire front drivetrain.

Could also be transmission/t-case fluid. I have seen the seal between the two break down and load up into one of the other.

 

[wampiFZJ80]

thanks for your messages. when I bought the truck, I bought it with an extended warranty and all this work is being covered. They have been making the decision since I am not that technical. They also checked the exhaust and no problem there. Next week they will check the differential and I am really hoping that will fix it. I will also give the mechanic your suggetions. Hopefully, we can get to the end of this

 

[Tofudebeest]

With a massive amount of luck, it will end up being a wheel bearing.

 

[RedRockTaylor]

Sorry to revive an old thread but did you ever figure this out? I have this exact same thing happening to my 88 62. We just fully rebuilt the front end and had the gear work done by CruiserOutfitters, so very very doubtful it’s anything in the knuckles or differential. My drive shaft has a bit of slop so we are going to check that next and then the transfer case, which we refilled with oil today. There were no metal shavings when we drained it thankfully.

 

[cps432]

Sorry to revive an old thread but did you ever figure this out? I have this exact same thing happening to my 88 62. We just fully rebuilt the front end and had the gear work done by CruiserOutfitters, so very very doubtful it’s anything in the knuckles or differential. My drive shaft has a bit of slop so we are going to check that next and then the transfer case, which we refilled with oil today. There were no metal shavings when we drained it thankfully.

Are you running in 4wd on flat pavement? Because that will cause the driveline to bind up and grind. Only use 4x4 when you’re on snow/ice or off road.

 

[RedRockTaylor]

Are you running in 4wd on flat pavement? Because that will cause the driveline to bind up and grind. Only use 4x4 when you’re on snow/ice or off road.

It was happening out on well-packed/dry dirt roads, I will have to see if it happens on gravel or snow if I get a chance. Luckily it only happens when going 20 MPH or faster when in H4WD

 

[OSS]

20 mph on a hard packed dirt road is almost like driving on pavement.
IMO, 4WD should only be used when going slow on a loose surface you’d bog in otherwise. Or on icy roads. Driving fast on a beach in 4WD is fine too.

Personally I’d never even consider using 4WD above 20 mph unless the surface was really sketchy.

I never drove 20mph+ in 4WD on a high traction surface so I don’t know if the noise is “normal”. But my guess (and also @cps432 ’s) from all the comments made in this thread is that the racket is being caused by driveline binding (which is caused by driving in 4WD on a high traction surface).

 

[RedRockTaylor]

20 mph on a hard packed dirt road is almost like driving on pavement.
IMO, 4WD should only be used when going slow on a loose surface you’d bog in otherwise. Or on icy roads. Driving fast on a beach in 4WD is fine too.

Personally I’d never even consider using 4WD above 20 mph unless the surface was really sketchy.

I never drove 20mph+ in 4WD on a high traction surface so I don’t know if the noise is “normal”. But my guess (and also @cps432 ’s) from all the comments made in this thread is that the racket is being caused by driveline binding (which is caused by driving in 4WD on a high traction surface).

Yeah, it seems to be a common answer to this question on various threads across the 40 and 60 cruisers. I guess I will have to see what she does next time I'm on a snowy highway, or maybe when I finally get out to the dunes.

 

[cps432]

I ran my cruiser loaded down with too much weight on hard packed wash board roads for twenty miles today. Never in 4wd. Never above 25 mph. Handled like a champ. I also made a climb up a 500 yard hill covered in 4 inches of ice in 2wd going 55 in 5th gear with no issues whatsoever. I almost NEVER use 4x4.