Do you hear the transfer case "running"?

Drove around today with the fan off, radio off, windows up. 4HI engaged. 60 km/hr (40 mph). I think I can hear the transfer case or front diff "running" as I drive.

My question is, is this expected? I only ask because for whatever reason, I had everything off and that sound caught my ear. Sound stops when in 2WD.

2009 access cab V6 with about 185,000 km. All gear oils changed by local dealership at 32,000 km intervals. Toyota gear oil. No issues with how the 4WD system works. No fluid leaks.

I don't suspect the front drive shaft - U-joints are tight, grease is good, flushed with fresh grease every couple of oil changes.

Might be me being over-sensitive. Can anyone else hear their 4WD system running?

Edited to add that some people seem to have had similar experiences (Googled it). I'll look at the fluids when I change it next and go from there. I'm sure the noise didn't just start. Some owners have reported the same noise at only 3000 miles on newer trucks.

 

I have a 2012....41k on it...I don't hear anything when in 4x mode....but I would imagine being its a machine some my make a little noise while other don't . I wouldn't worry about it....noise is a funny thing....I build trucks for a living some run dead quite while others have some noise to them....my last truck had a wine in the rear end from day one till I sold it at 175k....and its still running strong at 225k....still whines from 40mph to 55mph .

 

Thanks for the reply. If it breaks I'll fix it. This truck hasn't let me down, I can't say enough good about it... inspecting the gear oil the next time around might shed some light on any potential problem.

 

Looking at your username... Do you fly fish?

 

yes sir...nothing but fly gear.

 

Me too, love it.