dis-engaging auto 4WD

My Taco is a 2001 Double Cab 4WD with 281,000 miles on it. I don't use 4WD as much as I'd like to but when I do, when dis-engaging the 4WD, the entire front end shudders with a loud bang. Engaging the transfer case is smooth and it drives in 4WD nicely. I do not engage/disengage on paved road and typical driving on the streets my gear selector is in 4WDH and not in neutral. Any advice?

 

Haha, mine does it too. I had been wondering with the recent snow in VA as it had been in and out fairly often, whether somethings needs greased or not. Be interesting to hear a fix...

 

Yeah, I'm looking forward to hearing some good responses. Do you tend to avoid using 4wd since this is an issue for you? It really sounds like something might break if I take it out of 4wd too often.

 

it all depends on how you take it out of 4wd. usually I am going straight(ish) and let off the throttle and most of the time I hear a little clunk from it releasing. If I'm in a turn and do it while going it will "thud" out. check your fluids too

 

I just drained out 3/4 of my transmission fluid and added fresh fluid and thought this might have a correlation with my 4wd sticking issues but then realized that the trans fluid may not have anything to do with my transfer case.....Since there are other fluids to check, can you school me as how to check/add/replace them? Thanks for the insight

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-and-transfer-case-oil-change-howto.147631/

 

Thanks! This will be a great help

 

Why only 3/4? Why not all of it?

 

Based on an old wives tale that my ol' pappy told me. He told me that if you don't leave some old fluid in the trans where minute shavings or other contaminates may reside at the bottom of your trans, you're asking for trans trouble.....It may not make too much sense but I never wanted to jinx it......

 

Sorry, but that makes no sense to me.

 

I think its something to do with the solenoid that engages the 4x4....I had a 98 tacoma that I thought for sure I blew up the front end somehow...I was turning left and it started vibrating and clang boom front end hops...I get out check for leaks/something broke and nothing! it did it a couple more times and I went to take it in and they wanted to keep it for two weeks!! I said Ill bring it back when it completely breaks. It did it a couple times during the rain then nothing up to the time I got rid of it in 2002. I did notice the 4x4 light come on WITHOUT me engaging the 4x4... when this malfunction/vibration noise happend other than that nothing...

 

I just drained and refilled the xfer case and the front diff using the link provided and am proud to report that it was a complete success and my Taco shifts into and out of 4WD flawlessly. Thanks again to all for the insight and skoolin'....