What did I do? Differential damage? 4 WH test and now yuck sound...

Ugh, this may be my ignorance and stupidity, but I tested my 4wd High today on wet road, then tried parallel parking, leading to slippage and a clunk. I switched back to 2H, but now i have a low vibration and soft whirr sound when driving, more prominent when I get between 30-45mph. Ooof, that gut punch feeling of "what did I do" sucks. I just bought this 2013 4TR with 88K 2 weeks ago from Toyota dealer, its still covered under 30 day warranty, but I fear I may have done this damage to myself. Ive had 2 Gen 4s where this only happened on sharp turns on pavement getting off sand/offroad, so since have disengaged prior to getting off trail. Already have an appt to bring it in next week for what I thought was very slow power steering loss. Anyway hoping you all can give me advice on next steps.

 

From what I read

You can only go straight in 4h

 

You can make turns in 4H, but a gradual turn. You can't make a 90 degree right hand turn when you're in 4H. Ask me how I know!

 

@racepointrunner oof is right, I feel for ya.
I’m lucky I didn’t cause any damages in 4wd before learning a few pointers, here on this website actually. But you’ve had 4R’s/4wd vehicles before
Goodluck. Commend your humility, update us later.


this thread has a decent conversation about how people here have operated there 5th gens in 4wd:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/5th-gen-4wd-best-practices-knowledge-base.33692/

 

Get underneath and see if there are any signs of leaks or seeps from the front and back diffs. Sometimes there could be a weird smell that comes from the diffs like burnt oil or something like that. I think the issue was too much torque and turning at the same time. The diffs could be fine for all you know but maybe a cv axle or rod was already weak and you stressed it even more. Don't jump the gun too quickly with what the dealer will tell you unless you trust them and they are good. If the diffs were damaged and you ever want to go up in tire size this might be a good chance to regear and do all of that jazz...of course if you are into all that offroad stuff. If stock is your thing....proceed business as usual and get it fixed. Lesson learned - we break things all the time. Good luck.
P.S. post pics - you might get more advice from others here with visuals.

 

Owwie I'm sorry for you.
I too had a mishap after going from dirt to asphalt... what is that noise???

 

Do i cop to messing this up myself? Or try to plead ignorance? Seems like a pretty obvious cause and effect, and it certainly didn;t do this before i bought it...

 

I would try to get on to a gravel or dirt road and gently exercise 4H & 4L for a while, how about a mile at slow speed.

Maybe things will "settle" back into place.

During my monthly exercise, when the wheel gave me a little bit of resistance, I didn't force it and immediately researched it. That's where, on this forum, somebody mentioned to use it online gravel or dirt.

 

I'm not seeing leaks or smelling anything, nothing to take pics of that I can make out, but its rain/snow snotting out, so didn't full out get under there. I guess I'll find out when I take it in. I'm planning on keeping stock for now, as I'm not doing any heavy offroading.

 

Yeah, that was my hope, so I tried engaging between 2wd and 4hi a couple times going straight at about 10-20mph, but that did not seem to settle anything... F !!!

 

As said before, take it out on some very loose surface and slowly run it through 4H/4L, slow, small turns, and see if it gets back to itself. Can't hurt.

 

No biggie. It turned out well. I didn't try to force it. After hearing a weird "thunk" noise I backed off, straightened the wheels. Then let it sit for few minutes. All was well again.

That reminds me; it's time to put it in 4H & 4L to exercise those gears. I need to find the nearest mall. You know, so I can flex for Instagram.

 

I recommend honesty.

 

Just trade it in for another 3runner!!

 

Cop to it and be honest.

You should also try to bribe the guy in charge at the dealership with sexual favors. Sure, he may reject you, but the look on his face and the awkwardness will be an awesome story to tell your friends. Make the offer WHILE you are shaking his hands and pull him close to you when you say it.

 

Is that experience speaking?

 

I may or may have not whored myself out for Toyota accessories and free body work. Do not shame me!

 

Your secret is safe here...

 

How many trips before they hand me a snorkel intake you think?

 

Neither. Bring it in and tell them there seems to be a problem. They can investigate on their own and figure out what's wrong. Unless is it one you trust, most dealerships will try to put the blame on the owner (even when not justified) so no need to give them a reason to do so.
Besides, who knows what the issue really is. It is possible it has nothing to do with what you did. Correlation is not always causation.

 

Do yourself a huge favor; when you exercise your 4WD, do it on DIRT ONLY!

 

4wd is not AWD unless it’s full time which only the limited has. These aren’t Subarus.

You can exercise it on straight paved roads without issues. Also it’s a Toyota so it’s lt going to easily break.

 

Take it back. You did nothing wrong

 

Does the vibration go away in 4hi? It's possible you simply have the front diff needle bearing vibration and are just noticing it now.

 

I think this is on his '13. Not the 4Gen

 

Ha, yeah, I'll be sure to look for that 5 finger discount

 

Indeed. Still waiting for my morning coffee to kick in.

 

Did this a couple times on gravel, which did help quiet it down. I'm still gonna take it in, seems some slight noise still. Anyway, thanks for the help!

 

Thanks, this helped, though I'm still gonna bring it in have em check it out. much quieter, but still something there. Heh, some of these clowns on here are almost as good as my beer league hockey goons