What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

I was driving today in 4wd and all the sudden it feld like something locked up. I was only going about 20 or 30 at the time and it was bringing me to a stop. I put it in 2wd and all was good. Got home and nothing is obviously broken, but I can't turn my front drive shaft. In 2wd I should be able to turn my front drive shaft by hand. Did I fry my transfer case? I'm thinking maybe I should disconnect my front drive shaft from my transfer case and see it the transfer case output shaft will turn in 2wd or neutral.

 

I disconnted the front drive shaft and the transfer case output shaft will turn, so it looks like my transfer case it not the problem. The drive shaft will not turn, so it must be front dif or something up there.

 

I jacked up the front end and both wheels turn freely in 2wd. In 4wd when I turn one wheel the other turns backwards, but the front dif input shaft does not turn.

 

Sorry to hear this. Definitely front diff. Is that engagement system a vacuum or an electric version?

Probably worth draining the fluid to inspect for bits and pieces? Spider gears?

I am assuming it has no locker, like an ARB.

 

That's normal. With both tires off the ground in 4wd, turn the pinion by hand and see what happens.

 

thats normal. Do what Brett said.

It could also be the stub shaft in the ADD tube. So you want to engage 4wd to make sure that it is in actual 4wd and the diff is connected fully.

 

I understand one wheel turning backward is normal, but the flange on the front dif will not turn. It doesn't matter 2wd or 4wd, it will not turn.

 

Again, that's normal. The spider gears are spinning.

Either spin the pinion like I said with both tires off the ground, or jack up just one tire and spin it and the pinion should turn.

 

What he said ^^^^

 

In case I neglected to thank you guys at the time for being there and being so willing to jump in. It still is much appreciated.

It is definitely big and cumbersome to work with. And the TC gussets do impact access from the wheel well. It also did not help that it was 200° in there after just exiting i90 after a 350 mile drive.

Like many things on this truck, the need to upgrade the alt came at a time (Dec 2013), way before we knew about the suzuki/denso options. In hindsight, they are a better option than the GM CS144 remans.

 

Anytime! It was a good excuse for a mid day beer anyway

 

OK what ever had it bound up came loose. Front drive shaft disconnected, one front wheel off the ground, spin wheel and dront dif flange turns. But doesn't sound good. Also I can rotate the flange almost and inch before it starts turning the wheel. There is also about 1/8 inch up and down play.

 

never turn down an opportunity to fix a truck! fun times

 

yeah thats not a good sign..

Sounds like some teeth are gone. Time for a new diff I'd guess.

 

The question is can I drive it in 2wd and be OK for a few days?

 

I'd say pinion bearing more likely.

Should be fine in 2wd.

Junkyard front diff is cheap for our trucks.

 

Probably as the diff gets disconnected and the tcase. If you don't hear anything worrying noises while driving it I'd guess it is okay.

That said, it can get worse and if it locks up(mine did this once) then you have to pull it and gut it and then install it again as you CV axles hold the wheel bearing in.

if youre worried, you could pull the diff and if you have some space CV axles that you can take apart so only the outer stub goes into the wheels to hold the bearings in you could rock 2wd forever like that basically.

 

vertical play yes. But 1' of rotational play? no way, something is off.

This sounds like the crush sleeve just wore out and pinion got loosey goosey and a tooth or two eventually bit the dust.

 

Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

I'm betting some bits and pieces got into the pinion bearing and destroyed it. A bigger piece was the last straw.

 

Can you fit a six pack in that thing?

of Diet Coke that is