Front Tires Squealing

I have a problem with my front tires squealing. Happens when I make tight turns into parking spots or 90 degree turns at low speed. I have had ball joints replaced and alignments done. Tires and pressure are good. I could not find anything wrong and neither could the mechanics. I finally wondered if it had something to do with the 4 wheel drive. NO the 4 wheel drive was not on but maybe it was sticking. I turned on the 4x4 for a little while and shut it back off. The problem went away. After a while the squealing comes back again. I think the 4x4 is slightly engaging by itself. Every time I start to have a problem I just drive with the 4x4 for a little bit and shut it back off. This always corrects the problem.

Is the 4x4 actuator going bad? Can it slightly start to engage by itself and cause this squealing?

 

Ur front axle o a 4x4 might be in a bind when U are making turns left ot right

1st see if it is prevalent the direction U are steering

whether or Not its worse goin left.............or going right

IF the 4x4 is NOT DISengaging find a dirt lot ( dealer actually has 1 here )........in a straight line accelerate

the front tyres should not spin !!

next try left then right with some urgency.................no not DONUTZ !!!

again if the 4x4 is didengaged the fronts should ONLY be tracking...........NOT spinning/pulling

U can look at the hard pack dirt & tell whereas on asphalt/concrete nxt to impossible

 

The problem is intermittent. Happens in either direction. I hear an occasional clunk when turning sharp. My mechanic looked it over and found the front differential is very bad. I am surprised of this because I don't use the 4x4 that often. I am getting a used differential for replacement.

 

How was the fluid level and what did it look like?

 

Are you driving on pavement with 4WD engaged? You mentioned turning it off then back on again. I can’t say I’m an expert on Toyota 4WD systems but many only recommend engaging 4WD when there is sufficient wheel slip to prevent binding.

If Toyotas do have a system that can bind things can break, expensive things, if the 4WD is left engaged on hard, dry pavement.

It sounds like you have tire scrubbing.

 

There's no such thing as slightly engaged 4x4. Two actuators must fully engage their respective components to be in 4wd. Either actuator engaged alone will not cause the behavior you describe unless it's the ADD actuator and you have a front locker.

Sounds like scrub at high steering angles until I have evidence to show it's more severe.

 

Is your truck lifted, did you replace the upper arms, do you have a front locker? Welcome to TW.

 

I'm going with wheel scrub.