Transfer Case Chain - Can anyone else hear theirs?

I tried a crude test tonight. I taped a digital voice recorder first near the carrier bearing and second near the transfer case and took the truck for a drive each time. I couldn't really hear the noise when it was by the carrier bearing but I heard it pretty clearly when it was by the transfer case. It is too cold and getting to late to check anything else but at least I am getting closer. When I have some more time I will try this at different points around the transfer case to see if I can narrow it down further.

 

Gears make noise. Helical cut gears make less noise but they still make noise. Wouldn't worry about it.

 

If the dealer thinks it's the transfer case let them put one in it, bottom line it's up to them to honor the warranty and fix it for you no matter what the problem might be. Toyota has deep pockets they can stand a dealer throwing parts at some thing until they fix it.

 

BUMP - Because I saw three 2012 Tacoma's today.

Still have the noise, hasn't really changed in 9500 miles.

 

Ok so I am now just under 13000 miles and I am not really hearing the noise any longer . Hope it stays like this but I am wondering if it will be back in the wintertime/cold weather. We will see.

 

When I converted my Mustang from auto to standard, it had a helluva chunking noise, mostly in 5th. I had several mechanics looking at it, including a guy who builds race cars. I was finally told to learn to live with it, no one could figure it out. Eventually, though, it disappeared. Again, no one new why, but I was happy. A buddy of mine who used to work at a motorcycle dealership, asked where I got the transmission from. I explained I bought a wrecked Stang and did a swap. He then told me a story about a bike that had been sitting for a long time that had some problem with the engine (I can't remember if it was noise, or seized or what). Evrry tech in the place worked on it and couldn't fix it. Then some old guy who worked there went over to the engine and filled every hole with oil, including the combustion chambers. They let it sit for a while, and turned it over a few times, flushed the engine, and it worked like a dream. The old guys explanation was that it was dry in places it shouldn't be, and by "stuffing" it full of oil, they forced it to lubricate. Prevailing theory became that it took time for the oil to work it's way into all the joints and nooks and crannies, but once it did, finally, the noise was gone.

 

Any update OP ?

 

Going to have to disagree with you on that one. I crawled under the truck after i got it to check things out and i can turn the front drive shaft easily when in 2wd. The front axle has a locking motor. So when you put it in 4wd the front locks and the transfer case locks. I really liked that so the joints won't get wore out just from driving it in 2wd.

 

In 2WD they don't spin, the front diff does not turn just the axles the front drive shaft does not turn hence the chain does not turn. The old ones with lockout hubs would turn all of the stuff if you left it locked however unless it was in 4WD the chain just free wheeled driving nothing.

 

Not an update OZ but Toyota is replacing the entire front drive assembly in my 2011 axles and all. It has a noise at very slow speeds 5MPH and under it is rotational and sounds/feels (you can latterly feel it in the steering wheel) like a bearing there is metal in the front diff. Too bad they just replace stuff I would like to see just what’s bad in there. My guess is the needle roller bearing on the axle supports. Damn I wish they would have left the lockout hubs on the axles lazy Americans.

 

Damn , sounds familiar

Can you almost feel a rotational clunk at very slow speeds ?

 

Yes I can feel it in the steering wheel. I had to have the Toyota guy turn off the engine and drift so he could detect it (his hearing was a bad as mine). It seems to cycle with each rotation.

 

Exactly what I have

They never said what was the problem though ?

 

No I'm waiting for the parts, the guy that checked it out was pretty cool he'll let me know what he found. My guess scoring on the CV and a bad support bearing for the joint. I'll let you know when they get it fixed most like the first of the week.

 

Thanks

I'm leaning towards it being a worn needle bearing on the CV shaft similar to what the ECGS bushing replaces

 

Easy fix! The hardest part was getting the CV out and the rest was cake.

 

Yep , I already checked out the install video on the ECGS site

 

In my case if they feel they want to replace the final drive have at it. This will be a good drill because I'm sure it will happen again and next time it will be my problem. Why they (not just Toyota) think it's OK to spin the axles all the time is beyond me. I want my lockout hubs back!!! If they are going to spin them at least put a flange on them and a real bearing inside. By the way there is not even the slightest hint of a leak you would think if the bearing is toast it would leak. Let you know Tuesday they have the parts.