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Finally registered; Help with front dif

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by CliffordBRD, Mar 29, 2012.

  1. Mar 29, 2012 at 6:23 AM
    #1
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Cliff
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    09 DCLB 4x4 Pyrite Mica
    Year/model/etc..: 1998 Limited, auto hubs in the front and such.

    Problem:

    When coming to a rolling stop, 5mph and less there is a clunk in the front, like the driveline is somehow involved(you can feel the spin with the tires and such, hard to describe). Took the truck to my mechanic and he said it is the front diff not fully disengaging, which makes sense, here is why. In four wheel drive it doesn't do it, 4hi/lo/etc.. It doesn't affect anything at high speeds >5mph, just annoying really more than anything. He said to check the front dif switch since it is auto locking and see if it needs to be cleaned, but am finding little/no information on this issue. I'm looking for a plug type switch, but am possibly just unclear on what I'm looking for. The closest thing I've seen online is like a screw in plug like "switch", with two wires that feed to it.

    Does or has anyone had an issue like this before?

    All fluids are fresh and such/ just replaced both CVs thinking that could fix it but to no avail. Just don't know if I should be worrying about it, just feels like the teeth are not fully disengaging at very low speed. I'm about to make a 13 hour drive and don't want anything to happen.

    I've always come to this site since I purchased the truck in November and thank you all for the information you've provided...Look forward to a long life with it..
     
  2. Mar 30, 2012 at 6:28 PM
    #2
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD [OP] Well-Known Member

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    nothing? anybody?
     
  3. Mar 30, 2012 at 6:32 PM
    #3
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    its the differential that engages and disengages not the hubs. the cvs turn constantly
     
  4. Mar 30, 2012 at 8:01 PM
    #4
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I understand that, but is it something to worry about or should I try changing out this switch to improve the disengaging?
     
  5. Mar 30, 2012 at 8:41 PM
    #5
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    its not a switch that engages and disengages the diff. it runs off vacuum from the engine. maybe one of the lines has a crack in it or something. its on the side of the diff with 2 lines running to it
     
  6. Mar 31, 2012 at 3:42 PM
    #6
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's what I was looking for! Good stuff, thanks. I'll take a look at it tomorrow and hopefully one of them does. It's just vinyl tubing?

    I just found the diagram and it has two hoses that run off the diff so I'll take a look at them tomorrow and see. Appreciate the input!
     
  7. Mar 31, 2012 at 3:58 PM
    #7
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    its probably rubber but it could be vinyl not sure to be honest with you
     
  8. Mar 31, 2012 at 8:17 PM
    #8
    GLD01

    GLD01 Well-Known Member

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    Denver, CO
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    Toytec lift coils w/Bilstein 5100's; OME Dakars w/Bilstein 5100's; Camburg UCA's; Gray wire mod; Deck plate mod; Cooper Zeon LTZ 265/75 R16 tires
    Finally jumping in with my first post here.

    Are you absolutely positive that what you're feeling is coming from the front? The symptom you're describing is virtually identical to the well documented leaf spring/axle wrap issue that plagues 1st gen Tacomas.

    Manual or automatic?
     
  9. Apr 1, 2012 at 7:01 AM
    #9
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Manual trans, I can feel it coming from the front because it seems like it is right under my feet. I actually did the axle wrap mod (leaf spring helpers), and the carrier bearing because it was shot before taking it to my mechanic to figure this out. Both those helped a little, but it also narrowed it down to where it is really coming from. The front drive shaft has no play in it or anything either.

    Just replaced the CVs hoping that might fix it and because they were both torn, no luck. I have no issues driving at all, it seems like it is more of a nuisance now that anything because it doesn't affect driving, just when coming to a rolling stop at like 3mph and less.
     
  10. Apr 1, 2012 at 8:22 AM
    #10
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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    Farmington, MN
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    Smokin with a smarty.
    Broken motor mount? Highly unlikely but who knows.

    Does it stay in 4x4 when you're actually in 4x2?
     
  11. Apr 1, 2012 at 12:12 PM
    #11
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No broken mounts or anything. Goes in and out of 4x4 easily and reads the same.

    I tried to find the vacuum lines today but couldn't see them. I'm going to look up the diagram and see where they are going to. They are from the dif, but where do they go to, trying to follow them back..
     

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