Need Help: Drivetrain Whine, Slipping in tight turns

[bentcipher]

Tom,

I know what you're saying. When I first learned that they "dragged" it up the flatbed I was seriously considering injuring the tow truck driver. I still think something could easily snap using that method - but whether I can prove it as a viable cause is a different story.

The truck was towed by mistake while in the hotel parking lot. Luckily the hotel profusely apologized and had it brought back at no cost.

Oh and I just did the boots like 3 months ago - easy peasy works great!

[tom4bren]

"easy peasy"

If that translates to 'fingertips to armpits' in grease ... OK

[bentcipher]

Hehe... nah, it wasn't that bad. Got the independent4x kit which in my opinion is the only way to do it right (except if you're lifted)

Had plenty of time and beer.... it was a good day

Got a small update: Took the truck to the local AAMCO, the guy kept saying that the only thing it may need is a full service on the front diffy with a nice positrac additive... Anyone did this?

Personally I'm not buying it - if the problem is with the fluid then it would shudder constantly when in turn instead of once every revolution (?). I also think that it would exhibit these symptoms when in 4lo, which it doesn't.

Out of desperation, I'm willing to try anything before driving to a dealer 50 miles away. I can try the K&W LSD additive in the front axle... can this be done safely? If so, should it be added on top of the Mobil 1 oil already in there or bled a bit first? Workshop Manual states that too much gear oil may produce a leak but no other adverse symptoms.

Also, K&W instructions call for adding the additive first, oil second. How critical is this?

[bentcipher]

Ok, so I took the truck to another shop that normally does my alignment and such... luckily, one of the guys was familiar with 4x4s so we took a quick spin to see if he could help pinpoint what the problem is...

According to him, my pinion gear is going out at the very least. He said no fluid change is going to help that. It feels like it's slipping because pinion gear is going bad and the whine is coming from (clutch disks) locked in and not releasing. He told me to get this thing into a shop that works on these or the dealer pronto.

Later, when we pulled back up to the shop and I brought up the fact that the truck was recently dragged on a flatbed both him and their service manager's eyes widened and they promptly confirmed that there is a 99% probability that this is the cause of my issue. They said that dragging the vehicle on the bed is one of the worst things you could do to your driveline and what's worse... they knew that this particular wrecker simply dry-drags the vehicles onto the flatbed.

I remember having that suspicion after the tow truck driver gave me that story because I didn't smell any wd40 anywhere on or around the truck when he brought it back... and purposely took some pictures at the time just in case. Guess what, a reviewed the pics, again, and I don't see any wd40 or oily residue on my tires, on the inside of my rims, on the rims, on the cladding, or inner wheel wells.

Oh yeah... and I almost forgot - I'm not covered by a powertrain warranty as I am a second owner of the vehicle so if the tow service gets out of this, looks like I'll be getting very familiar with the insides of my front axle.

[TheGanzman]

The defense rests...

[bentcipher]

Right! So! Uhmmm... I changed the t-case oil - no more slipping, no more shudder. I'm happy.

The old oil was filthy so I flushed it completely with a quart of fluid before filling it.

So if your truck is slipping in tight turns at all times, forward or reverse, in 2 or 4 wheel drive - REPLACE YOUR T-CASE OIL. It's easy, I did it on my lunch break.

And while at it, service your front and rear differentials!

P.S. I used Valvoline ATF fluid to fill the t-case and although it stopped the slipage/shudder the noisy whine continues. Can someone recommend a fluid that better deals with the whine?

It sounds /exactly/ like it sounds when it's in 4lo...

[enderg]

Hi all, long time no chat...

I was having a similar issue with the binding in turns but mine was only in very SHARP turns such as a U-turns. Well all of the sudden it started making harsh grinding noises and would barely make a 90 degree turn. I babied it to a transmission shop and had 4 technicians under the VX with stethoscopes, magnifying glasses, lights... they had no clue. Thank goodness it was the Friday before the holiday and they asked me to bring it back on Tuesday morning.

I was fearing the worst when I saw this thread, crossed my fingers and changed the transfer case oil while hoping for the best.

What a difference! Who knew something so simple could sound so bad. So the moral of the story is: Stay on top of those fluid changes!

!!!!Thanks for the information bentcipher!!!!

Regards,

ender

[bentcipher]

Glad I could help... Actually, I'm really glad your issues were fixed with the T/C oil change. I still remember that sinking feeling, thinking "****e, how much is this going to cost?" Keep those fluids changing at regular intervals and you should be good. If you recently got the Vx, change them all just to be safe!

Sweet! And let this be a lesson that most of the shops out there have no idea what to do with a Vx. Even when it comes to what seems like generally simple to diagnose issues. I let them do my wheels... everything else I do myself.

Good luck!