Does this sound like the transfer case to you?

[90blacktsiawd]

Ok i've been hearing this grinding noise. Sounds like the front drivers side wheel to me. It's comparable to when the brakes are running low and the little arm is scraping against the rotor. But it's much more of a grinding noise. I let the family mechanic look at it real quick for me and his conclusion was my transfer case is going. Claims it put a stethascope to it and could hear the grinding inside.

Needless to say that had me kind of pissed. But on the way home after i picked it up i noticed that when i hit the brakes, not just tap them, that the sound would go away. Not only that but if i would give it atleast 1/4 pedal and accelerate at a descent speed it woudl go away as well. Well this got me wondering. Now the transfer case doesn't stop woking under braking correct? And i'm damn sure it doesn't under acceleration. Any ideas on what this might be? I was thinking wheel bearing but i can't wiggle any of the wheels and i doesn't sound like brakes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KuZo]

To be honest it does sound like the brakes, just like a hung caliper. It just might be scraping the wheel ever so slightly.

But if you are sure it's not the brakes, where is the sound coming from??

How was he able to put a stethascope up to the transfer case and listen to the noise? Unless he had it on a lift and had it in gear with the car on then the transfer case will not function.

 

[90blacktsiawd]

He did put it up on a lift and take a look. Or so he told me atleast. Ill take another look at the brakes to see is i can find anything.

 

[90blacktsiawd]

Ok i found the problem. 3 of the lug nuts on my front drivers side wheel had come loose. I'd really like to know how the mechanic found this horrible noise coming from my transfer case. Either he was a complete moron or they were looking to make some serious money on the issue.

 

[KuZo]

glad it was an easy fix, next time torque them down to about 80ft/lbs. I think you're right, he's either a moron and knows nothing about AWD systems or he was trying to make some money. I mean the wheels have to be moving in order for him to hear something from the transfercase, ya can't just walk up to it and listen for noises.