Did my transfer case just explode? Please help!

Right? If that was the case it would be nothing but blown up tcases in moab due to the cement like rocks there and no one airs their tires down to the exact same PSI f/r. Something let loose in the diffs causing it to go boom.

 

Dang that's gnarly! If I had like a ranch and needed a beater truck I would prob keep one a long time. I just like to get new stuff and new tech etc. One day ill have a ranch!

 

The guy engaged 4hi at a stoplight, drove in a straight line until 30 mph, and then came to a halt. There is a 0% chance this has to do with engaging 4hi on a high traction surface.

 

The manual says don't engage 4x4 on concrete sooooooo.
Even if the internet people say it won't hurt anything, the engineers clearly thought it was important to include in the manual.

Hopefully it's some other funny failure, but i will never engage 4wd on pavement or anything grippy... Plus, 2wd is way more fun!

 

I've been in the suburbs too long, and need to get back out in the country. I need a ranch too! Saving up now that I don't have a house or car payment, sooooooon.

 

sorry......It is clearly written in my Owner's Manual for 2nd Gen to engage the 4WD on a monthly basis and to drive for 10 miles to ensure lubrication is spread about in the Xfer case and front diff. I believe the OM cautions against using 4WD full time on high traction situations.

Thanks just the same. I'll follow the OM.

 

■Caution while driving ●Never shift the front-wheel drive control switch from “2WD” to “4H” if the wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting. ●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, use “2WD” position. Driving on dry and hard surface roads in “4H” or “4L” position may cause drive component oil leakage, seizure, or other problems resulting in an accident. Further, it may cause tire wear and increased fuel consumption. ●Avoid turning suddenly in “4H” or “4L” position. If you do turn suddenly, the difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult. ●Do not shift the front-wheel drive control switch when the vehicle is turning or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

I think ill listen to the engineers.

 

I dont know why people are trying to turn this into a user error issue. Oh my god! He did what! He engaged 4wd on pavement!!!!!

These diffs aren't made out of string beans.

 

Just could be a possibility.

 

From the context op supplied "engaged 4wd at a stop. drove straight. truck exploded."

doesnt sound like he was doing hoonigan shit while flicking the 4wd switch. OR maybe he was and he doesnt want to say so on a public forum. dunno im not a scientist.

 

Yeaaaaah. Your prob right.

 

Unhook the front drive line, then see if it gos into 4wd.

 

Wow. So sorry that happened to you. What was the cost / damage to repair it ?

 

Thats because the engineers / manual writers have to plan for the least common denominator.... the stupid people who have no idea how a part time 4wd system works.

4HI and 4LO in a straight line even on high traction surfaces will cause ZERO problems as all tires will be spinning at the same rate. Once you start turning that all goes out the window, just like inside and outside tires turn at different rates, your front axle and rear axle (aggregate rpms between both sides) spin at different rates.

Needless to say, stay in a straight line and you will be fine.


To the OP. If gearing was MISMATCHED you would feel it INSTANTLY hell you can feel it quite a bit with something as small as running stock sized 265/70R16 spare when all other 3 tires are 265/75R16 and flipping into 4wd (all of a 3% difference in circumference). You mentioned that you had gone in and out of 4HI a few times before, so this leads me to believe that the gears at matched. Its likely something with the install of the front (bolt came loose etc etc). The Tcase should of never been touched when doing gears.

 

The worst case scenario is that one tire drags slightly and scuffs slightly. The hardened steel gears and transfer case chains are WAY stronger than the grip one tire has on dry pavement.

I love these threads. It’s fun listening to guys who bought 4x4 trucks with low range and factory diff lockers who are afraid to use any of it.

 

They should have bought Ridgeline or a Subaru Baja, but they want to have that outdoorsy, Camel Trophy, I mean Costco Trophy over-landing look

 

and you would most likely snap a cv before the energy was transferred to the diff to blow it up.

 

And it exploded ... oO

 

OP, maybe your xfer case oil had the wrong OCI.