Outer Limits 4x4 Board

This noise only happens while in 4wd High range.

It only happens when you take your foot off the accelerator or first put it down and in each case only for a few seconds at a time.

Also does it when you put your foot on the clutch but again only for a few seconds.

Appears to be coming from down in the gearbox area

It sounds sort of like a dry set of bearings grinding away

The vehicle is a 75 series.

Any ideas? Also how urgent is this repair? Likely cost?

My guess is something in the transfer case?

get underneath, grab the front drive shaft and try and move it up and down near the flange on the transfer case. If you do a lot of 4x4 work this bearing is usually the first one to go. (you will see and/or feel the moveiment) If you have a bit of mechanical knowledge it is not too hard to change, but you will need the services of someone with a bearing press.

If you replace it you may as well do the whole transfer case.

flyology wrote:get underneath, grab the front drive shaft and try and move it up and down near the flange on the transfer case. If you do a lot of 4x4 work this bearing is usually the first one to go. (you will see and/or feel the moveiment) If you have a bit of mechanical knowledge it is not too hard to change, but you will need the services of someone with a bearing press.

If you replace it you may as well do the whole transfer case.

Wouldnt that cause the noise to be irrellevant of high or low range though?

Is there some sort of gear or race in the transfer box that is high range only?

I am reasonably mechanically minded but gear boxes are far from my forte.

In high range the bearing is spinning faster, so more likely to make noise.

Manual transfer cases have bushes on the high and low gears, autos have a roller bearing race.

Transfer cases aren't too bad, once you have done it a few times.


It could be a number of things, check the simple easy things first. What are the linkages like on you High low 4wd shifter like?

How many klms have your çruiser done?

Bit hard to diagnose on here, Come for a drive up to Cairns and I will have a look at it for you.....

Seriously, if you cant find out what it is see a reputable 4x4/Toyota mech and get him to check it out. Or if there is someone on here that lives close to you?

Thanks mate, I think that its probably at the stage where i need to get an expert to take a look.......will keep you posted.