grinding when going into 4x4 4wd H4

ive searched and havnt found any other threads like this? maybe i really suck at searching lol.

2006 tacoma, v6 auto, double cab, stock wheels, 278000klm / 172000miles.

when i turn my knob to h4 from h2, lately, more frequently and progressively louder each time, i get a grinding noise when the system engagges 4x4. sometimes it wont and the light 4wd light just flashes on the dash. i have to stop, back up, go slowly forward and it will eventually engage.

sometimes it grinds.

so....

i was thinking id find many others who have the same isue but doesnt look that way. i use this truck for work and would like to get it fixed this weekend in my shop. any thoughts?

my gut tells me the actuator is struggling. need a test method for it. is it full of dirt?

thoughts and help appreciated.

thnx. VikingTrad3r

 

yes i suk at searching. when i included actuator i found this:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-trouble-shoot-4x4-actuator.263525/

any thoughts help appreciated.

 

Mine doesn't grind but there's a super loud bam as it shifts

 

im browsing that thread on actuator replacement to try and determine if my symptoms (weak or no engagement sometimes resulting in flashing light if no engagement and sometimes resulting in grinding sound but not all the time) could be caused by this actuator.

furthermore, there is a picture in post 55 with a broken plastic gear. im trying to see if that gear is broken it creates the noise.

that would instruct me to buy a new actuator vs just solder the contacts as other have done.

 

Same. Not super loud, but it's there.

 

Noise? Normal. Increasingly loud noise /failure to engage? Not normal, look at actuator as mentioned above

 

From the very beginning of my purchase of my '13, in 2013, I've had the "thug" when engaging 4x4. Plus, I have had to accelerate, brake, accelerate, brake, until it engages, including just this morning.

Nothing has broken (yet) so I just don't worry about it anymore, as long as it engages.