4x4 clicking noise 1999 toyota tacoma 4cyl

Hey so Im just wondering if anyone can help me out.

My 4x4 is making an odd clicking noise (sharp and fine type of continuous noise), the only time the noise is not there is when my hubs are in the free position and its in rwd only. Every other combination, the noise is present (4H & 4L with both free and locked, and 2H with locked hubs).

Anyone know what it could be, how to proceed?

Thanks for any info or tips

 

try lubing the ujoints if possible, if not maybe start changing them out...

 

Just to understand,

When in 2h / unlocked hubs there is no noise,
When in 4H / locked hubs, you have a noise,
When in 4L / locked hubs, you have a noise,
When in 4H / unlocked hubs you have a noise,
When in 4L / unlocked hubs, you have a noise

Do me a favor, try 2h / locked hubs. I am assuming you will NOT get a noise. This will confirm it is NOT the hubs, which we already kinda confirmed. But just to cover every base.

That leaves the tcase (unlikely), differential (suspect), and the driveshaft (my first guess). When was it last serviced? Has two ujoints and a slip yoke, needs regular greasing, same time you grease all the other zerks. As @wilcam47 said, its probably the ujoints, more specifically the roller bearings screaming for grease. Its probably too late, but you can still grease it to see if the noise goes away. If it does, you found the culprit and can replace them. Theyre cheap, and you can pull the front driveshaft and still drive the truck around.

 

Yeah it still makes the noise with 2H and locked hubs, so it could be the hubs?

I will get under it this weekend and have a look, grease everything up as well.

Thanks guys

 

Well, it sounded like the noise wasnt changing with the hubs locked or unlocked. So its either the driveshaft or diff. Those dont spin in 2wheel drive.

 

When in 2h / unlocked hubs there is no noise,
When in 4H / locked hubs, you have a noise,
When in 4L / locked hubs, you have a noise,
When in 4H / unlocked hubs you have a noise,
When in 4L / unlocked hubs, you have a noise
AND
when in 2H / locked hubs there is a noise,

so it could be the hubs finally ?