Only one wheel spins in 4WD

Recently got stuck in clay with our 1998 Tacoma, and while it was in 4WD, only one rear tire was spinning. This truck has manual locking hubs and an automatic transmission. The green 4WD indicator lamp in the dash was on. Tried both 4HI and 4LO, but the neither front wheel would spin.

After we got it un-stuck, I had a driver engage 4WD and drive forward a bit so I could look underneath to see if the front driveline was turning (it was). Put it back into 2HI and it didn't spin, put it back into 4HI and it spun. So it looked like the transfer case was operating ok.

Any ideas why the front wheels wouldn't spin with 4WD engaged?

Thanks!

 

when you get under it and see the front drive shaft spinning, are the cv axles spinning out of the diff as well?

if the drive shaft is spinning and the cv axels arent, your diff is fucked up.
if your drive shaft is spinning, and cv axles are spinning, but tires arent spinning, the hubs are messed up.

 

hes asking about the front. he said no front tires spin.
EDIT:ninja delete!!!!

 

also make sure you look at the CV SHAFT and the CV JOINTS to make sure the shaft is spinning as well as the joint, i had one break once where the shaft was spinning inside of the joint and the joint wasnt spinning. it was really hard to diagnose this. i at first thought it was my front diff.

 

Thanks for the great advice! Upon further inspection, I think we found the culprit. The driver's side front axel has backed out of the front differential some. Forgot to mention earlier too that this Tacoma has a lift kit. This will be beyond my skill set to repair myself. Probably will have to take it to a 4WD shop.

 

yep thats ur problem. pretty easy fix. (if you know what your doing.)
if your in arizona i could do it for you but i doubt you are. just throwing it out there.

 

Thanks for the offer! But, nope, this truck is in Oregon. Thanks again.

 

if you want to try tackling yourself its actually somewhat easy if you have basic tool knowledge. i could give you a little easy step by step. feel free to message me.