Loud knocking noise when 4x4 engage

[Jules]

Morning All

I got the fright of my life this morning when I was out at our quarry. I decided to engage 4x4 since the last time I engaged it was when Peter Connan and myself drove Hennops on the 4th January 2011. I locked the hubs put the vehicle in 4x4 H and pulled off, there was this axle breaking clanking noise from the front axle, I had a small heart attack stopped immediately and disengaged, as I drove out of the quarry the mechanic came up the hill. I explained to him what happened he said to test it again so he can hear , now no noise for him to hear. He said maybe the manual hubs did not lock properly. I decided to leave it in 4x4 while I drive the gravel road but did not go further than 15 meter when this clank noise was back sounded as if only from right front wheel area. I stopped and took it out of 4X4. In 4x2 no problem no noise.

Any areas I can self inspect before I take it to a mechanic ?

Shalom
Jules

[AndriesS]

Just checking - in 4x2 with hubs locked you don't hear anything, only in 4x4. Do you hear it in 4H and 4L? Or only 4H?

[Jules]

Hi John

Nope was to scared to put it in L, in H I can still drive tar road 25km to office if it did lock into 4x4 H. I also did not try to drive it hubs locked in 4x2 will try it on my way home

Will check this afternoon at home if I puit it in 4X4 H what turns and what not , with hubs locked & free. It sounded that something was breaking

Shalom

[Peter Connan]

Hello Jules

Try locking the hubs and then turning the propshaft?
Peter

[Jules]

Hi Peter sal dit vcanmiddag by huis gou probeer, John I went for n quick drive about 2km locked the hubs but did not put it into 4X4 NO NOISE , so it seems noise only when I engage 4x4

Shalom

[Maniac]

Sounds familiar, my left front wheel makes a grinding / knocking noise when hub is engaged. Hub also comes loose on the 6 M6 bolts holding it down... Any ideas?

PS sorry for the hijack

[Jules]

Evening,

I have turned the propshaft with no hubs locked it turns, locked just one hub it turns, both hubs locked it does not turn but there is play of about 12 -13mm. I then engaged 4x4 then the play is about only 2mm, kept in 4x4 and unlocked the hubs, no change propshaft locked with probably 2mm play.

I have not again driven it locked and in 4x4, do not want something to break that will break the bank.

Shalom
Jules

[AndriesS]

Sorry for the late reply -with your hubs locked and in 4x2 it just means that the diff,axles and birfields are ok under low/no load - they will be turning as you drive but not from engine power. You probably get less play in 4x4 as the driveshafts are locked together and the rear might have diff less play.

Have you checked the UJ's and splines on the front prop shaft?

If you don't get the noise in 4L it could mean that something has gone wrong in your t/case.

Maniac,are there any end play between th driveshaft end and hub? Have you tried cleaning the hub?

[Jules]

Thanks John I will investigate and inform accordingly

Shalom
Jules

[Peter Connan]

Hello Jules

I don't know if you have found the problem yet. I have thought long and hard about this.
I beleive the play you are seeing is normal, and the fact that you cannot turn the propshaft when the hubs are engaged probably means that whatever it is is still busy breaking and has not broken completely yet. Judging from where you are hearing the noise, I think it is a front axle problem. Probably hub, but possible also CV or diff. There is probably a cracked casing or ring of some sort, such as the cage holding the balls in the CV or the engagement ring of the hub?

Good luck, and please let us know if you find something?
Peter