ominous slipping sound...t-case? (1 Viewer)

[jblueridge]

While off road creeping in 4Low up a mountain pass, I heard a new sound similar to a tire slipping on rock.
After hearing the exact same sound 4 or 5 times I knew it was something other than slipping on rock.
The noise has a faint metallic twang to it and I believe I feel a slight twitch coming through the drivetrain.
The sound seems to come from under the truck, not from one of the tires.
I fear it is the t-case or manual gearbox.

While in 4High I ran the truck rapidly up a steep dirt slope to make the sound occur.
I got out and looked at the tire tracks in the powdery dirt but I saw nothing strange.
I believe the sound is getting more frequent whenever the truck is really working to go uphill offroad.
Since I was about 1,700 miles from home, I decided to stop stressing the truck and just drive home to Virginia on the Interstate.
No noises or problems driving 70mph 8 hours/day.

Anyone have a similar sound experience?

 

[sodafeld1]

Once, years ago in my old bj40, I had a clicking sound going up very steep fire tracks, too steep, crazy really. I think it was the locking hubs though, from memory, I knew even less then.

It was fine in 2wd hwy, too.

I guess start with the easy and work your way back. Pain if it is in your transfer, doubt it is gear box, blessing if just hubs.

 

[AirheadNut]

Can you load up the drivetrain in 2WD high or 2WD low to see if it makes the noise? That would help determine if it is hubs or not.

 

[jblueridge]

There are some steep dirt roads near my home.
I’ll try some 2wd stunts there soon.
I guess I’ll take tire pressures down to 20 psi like I did when the noise manifested in Colorado.

 

[jblueridge]

I drove an hour west to the national forest where there are some trails considered challenging (in Virginia anyway).
It was more muddy and slick than I expected.

I did my best to strain the drivetrain up hills and so on.
I never heard the noise again but maybe the tires were slipping before the noise could appear.

I know that my brakes are in need of attention. The LSPV is jammed among other things.
I am hoping I will find something in the brake drums that could have made the noise I am worried about.
Once I get all that squared away, I will go back to the forest.

 

[coldtaco]

You can get a new LSVP . I replaced mine .

 

[jblueridge]

Yes. It arrived last week.
I ordered a bunch of brake stuff back in June.
Somehow I stupidly ordered only one new brake drum, so I get to wait for the 2nd to arrive.