Problem - front Trutrac diff or CV joint?

[barshnik]

'01 D2, front TruTrac diff has been installed for 10k miles or so. Recently heard 'clicking' when in reverse with 1/2 or more steering lock, sometimes even going forward at lower speeds while turning. Can even feel a bit of the 'clicking' through the steering wheel as well as hearing it.

I thought for sure it had to be the drivers-side CV, as that is really where the sound seemed to be coming from.

Brought it to dealer, they say (not knowing a TruTrac is installed) the problem is the front diff, not CV. On a lift, they say turning a wheel by hand produces the same sound from the diff area.

Can anyone shed any light on this, please? Any way to tell what exactly is going on (not that I don't trust the dealer, or anything <g>

Thanks for any help,

John F
LV, NV

 

[marc olivares]

i think you need to tell the dealer about your true trac,
these diffs do move and sound differently than a open/spider geared carrier.
i still think you blew a cv and maybe the sound is telescoping.

won't know until you take apart.

 

[bri]

If it makes the noise when you turn a wheel by hand you could have someone do that while you listen. Maybe with one of those cheap bastard scopes.

 

[barshnik]

I talked to them again, they know it is a TruTrac now, but still insist it is not a CV, but the diff instead.

Anyone with a front TruTrac out there, who might know how it reacts when you either wheel by hand while front off the ground? I have to go there tomorrow to discuss this, but know to little to avoid being bent over by them. They seem reluctant to pull it apart to inspect the CV, still thinking that it is the diff. Thanks,

John F
LV, NV

 

[Steve Rupp]

Dude, it's not hard to pull the hub off and check the CV. Guessing isn't going to fix it.

 

[Trey & Melissa Burns]

Anyone with a front TruTrac out there, who might know how it reacts when you either wheel by hand while front off the ground?

To answer this question, I have a tru trac in the front and mine does not make noise.

But like the others have said, take the cv out and check it over. Look for discoloration or pieces that have come apart.


Trey

 

[Mongo]

they really shouldn't make any noise(TT), who installed it?...but..crank the wheel all the way over, roll down the window and drive...you'll know if it's the cv...it shouldn't make ANY noise (CV)... I've now broken 3 CV's (#3 this weekend) and my TT is fine...


Frank

 

[D Chapman]

It it were a CV, couldn't you disable Traction Control, and see if the truck moves? If it were a broken CV joint, the power would take the path of least resistance, and the truck would not move..

 

[Mongo]

only way to disable traction control would to lock the center, start the truck, that would disable the abs/tc/hdc...

 

[Steve Rupp]

I'm not completely sure but you could probably pull the abs fuse.

 

[Mongo]

pulling the fuse should work...then starting the truck should disable it...the best way is to pull the shaft...

 

[cptyarderho]

Sounds like a CV to me as well, if the clicking is when the wheel is turned. It may not be shot, just getting ready to go. I agree, check the CV on your own first. I have replaced one that was doing the same thing, same noise. It took me about 3 hours, figuring it owt on my own. That was in a RRC though...

 

[barshnik]

Someone with a front TT could help...

The dealer is quite sure that the 'clicking' noise is coming from the front (TT) diff, not the CV. I picked it up today, here is what I find...

Block rear tire so the truck won't roll...
Turn key, put in neutral...
Jack either front side so tire can be turned...
Turn wheel, listen...

I hear a loud groaning noise from the TT. As I would expect, the wheel does not turn freely, but can be turned by hand, always accompanied by the pretty loud groan.

If I jack up both fronts, both wheels turn when I turn one, with no noise at all. If I block one, turn the other, loud groans again.

I don't know if the groaning is normal for TT in this situation, or if it might indicate a problem.

Maybe the dealer is right, nothing may be wrong with either CV - it does make sense that a defective TT could be the cause, as the outside wheel will be turning faster than the inside during a turn, causing the TT to click? At certain points during the above procedure, I did hear very slight clicking at one point along with the constant 'groan'.

If someone with a front TT could jack one wheel off the ground, turn it, and let me know what if any noise is made, and approx. how hard it is to turn, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks,

John F
LV, NV

 

[Steve Rupp]

I think you need to stop taking that thing to the dealer. Don't you think they're going to tell you that it's not a LR part that is giving you trouble? Take that thing to a good 'ol boy and pull the front end apart to see what's up. Obviously something is wrong and you need to find out what it is. You've been putting your ears up to things trying figure out what's up with it for month.

I would never trust a meathead mechanic at a LR dealer to touch my truck.

 

[Mongo]

I agree, stop taking it to the dealer. Just some info, a new passenger side CV is about $695.00 from the dealer. A new TT, don't, but who did the install on the TT?

Some other questions:
With the tire in air are u turning the steering wheel or spinning the tire:

if your spinning the tire, it could be the TT (but also could be the CV)
if your turning the steering wheel, CV joint

What's in neutral, I'm guessing the transmission. Put the transfer case in neutral, spin the front driveshaft. What noise do hear now?

I'm thinking you've have problem with a cv joint...

Frank

 

[cptyarderho]

I think you effectively eliminated the CV. if it was the CV it would make noise when the wheel was turning regardless. Time to pull the diff, who put it in for you?

 

[D Chapman]

Could it be a pinion bearing?

Could also be that the bolts on the ring gear have worked loose...

I just don't want to believe the TT is shot...

 

[Steve Rupp]

Could it be a pinion bearing?

Could also be that the bolts on the ring gear have worked loose...

I just don't want to believe the TT is shot...

Dan- I really doubt it's the TT since it's gear driven an it's either broken or working fine. Something else is shot and the guy doesn't want to pull it apart for some dumb reason.

There's probably no grease in the boot and the CV is shot.

 

[barshnik]

<<Something else is shot and the guy doesn't want to pull it apart for some dumb reason.
>>

Dumb reason #1: D2 is not daily driver, wife and I have 4 other vehicles
Dumb reason #2: I've never worked on drivelines before, lack knowledge in this area
Dumb reason #3: Not sure I've got suitable tools, don't have shop manual
Dumb reason #4: I've been traveling for work lately, no time for another 'project'

The TT was purchased from Bill at Great Basin, and installed by a local driveline shop.

Whatever the problem is, it is in a early stage, and aggrivated by temperature. It is much cooler out this morning, truck has been sitting, and no noise is made doing what I did yesterday (tranmission in neutral, jack up one front wheel and turn it by hand.) Once hot, the front TT diff will groan loudly when I do this. There is plenty of fresh-looking diff oil (synthetic) in the diff.

I can still hear / feel slight 'clicking' if I drive slowly in reverse with steering wheel at 2/3 or more lock, though.

At this point I think I'll drop it off at a respected non-dealer LR guy in town (when he has time available) who works on most of the serious LR off-roaders vehicles. That is, unless there are any last suggestions...

I don't see anything in the 'tech' section about how to remove / check / relube CV's, so I'll let it go at that unless someone wants to post instructions.

Thanks,

John F
LV, NV

 

[Steve Rupp]

At this point I think I'll drop it off at a respected non-dealer LR guy in town

Just take it to the driveline guy that put in the TT. You said you have 4 other vehicles, take it to someone. I'm getting tired of people here asking for advice and completely disregarding the advice from the guys that have been here a long time and know what they're talking about. You can only get so much information on troubleshooting a problem without seeing the vehicle.