LOUD Clunk shifting into 4Hi

Okay I sort of did something stupid by mistake. Now I'm just trying to see how big of a mistake it was and how I can fix it.

This morning I was trying to make it into my garage in 2wd, my driveway is fairly steep and snow/ice covered. The Taco wasn’t climbing any farther and I was so close to being in the garage. Impatiently, I switch to 4Hi while I was still giving it gas to make it up the driveway.

That's when I heard a really Loud Clunk. I really thought I broke something. Maybe I did. Do you guys happen to know what that Loud Clunk noise might be? I heard a clunk every now and then shifting from 2hi to 4hi but this time it was much louder.

The 4wd indicator kept blinking for several seconds. I made it into the garage, and it was still blinking. So I decided to make sure it still works. I reversed out of the garage and finally the 4wd indicator stays on. I drove back up the driveway and everything seemed to be working fine.

Later in the day, I put it in 4hi on an icy road to see everything was still functioning. 4wd comes on just fine and I don't notice any fluid leaking, grinding noises, etc. I switched it back and forth multiple times just to make sure.

So the question is: should I be worried? And if so, what else should I check?

 

Your fine. You have an 09, the 4x4 is just breaking in, should shift in and out easier over time. Mine flashed more in the beginning and made a few clunks along the way.

 

Does anyone know what that Loud Clunk noise might be? It's 100x louder than the clunk I hear every now and then while shifting to 4hi.

I think it maybe been because I shifted into 4hi in high RPMs due to spinning back wheels. But, what component could've made that noise?

 

if you were spinning while switching to 4x the clunk was the tcase and front driveshaft engaging as well as the front diff. I wouldnt do it if you value the truck. Only switch to 4x if your front wheels are going the same speed as the rear wheels.

Ex. switching to 4x while moving is fine, but if your spinning in 2x the rear wheels are spinning faster than the front so when you switch to 4x the front components need to catch up... real bad idea...tough on the whole drive train

 

Is there anything I should do, or just need to avoid doing it in the future?

Could there be permanent damage and what would be signs of permanent damage?

I'm new at this.

 

What you said.

And if so take it to the dealer, if it breaks that easy you should get a refund. Or at least take it in for warranty.

But your fine, go to bed. You can sleep, everything is fine....Obama won the Nobel Peace prize, all is good and well.

 

Doesnt matter what brand of car it is. gears are gears. The design of the tcase is to engage the front drive shaft. The front drive shaft spins the same speed as the rear. if the rear is spinning and you shift into 4x the front has to catch up instantly...easily cause instant carnage...

 

ha ha

 

Well I guess I will just have to wait and see if things start acting funny.

 

DONT do it again...

Breaks that easy??? its like smashing the gears with a sledge hammer. if it was on dry pavement youd be needing a front drive...

"Obama wins the Heisman Trophy just for watching a single game!!!" cheezy anouncement voice

 

hahahaa thats great!

 

According to the manual you can switch into 4WD 2Hi as long as you are under 60MPH. You should be fine. Correct me if I am wrong anyone.

 

thats if the vehicle is moving 60mph(all 4 wheels). If the rear is spinning 60 mph and the front isnt moving thats bad news...the front wheels have to be moving the same speed as the rear so the gear speed is matched

 

That is correct, if the front and rear wheels are moving at 60 mph. this means all the gears are moving at the same speed just not messed together. if your back tires are spinning at 60 mph and your front tires are at a standstill you are trying to mess a gear spinning at 60 mph with a gear at a dead stop... this is a horrible idea.

 

Oh, well the OP was asking a serious question and your answer looked serious...

 

Id be pretty stressed about it, lol. id take it while its still under warranty. At least even if there is nothing wrong with it you can have a problem documented before the warranty is up so you have ammo if it fails in a few years...I threw a truck into 4x while spinning in mud once and twisted off the front driveshaft. It was ugly...

 

As a rule of thumb I usually take my foot off the accelerator pedal momentarily and coast while switching into or out of 4wd. It eliminates the risk of the rear wheels spinning while engaging and removes the load from the system when disengaging, avoiding that other dreaded clunk.

It isn't necessary, but certainly seems like it allows the system to engage/disengage easier.

 

What about vehicles that have auto 4wd? Wouldn't this cause the same problem? If your rear wheels have no traction, it automatically engages the front driveshaft. My wife's trailblazer has it, but I'm scared to use it. haha. Especially in a GM product. I always use 4hi or low....not that automatic crap.

 

+1, I do the same, make the change where there's no slipping or load on the driveline, and it'll go in/out no problem, no clunk.

 

Should I just take it to the dealer and ask for an inspection? I have no visible or audible sign of damage so I'm not sure what to say to them. I don't really want to document that I did something stupid either just in case it might void the warrenty.

Did you have to do anything to that truck?