[xter500]

The other day, I was getting through some deep snow in 4H and then shifted back to 2H before I hopped back onto the plowed road. As I started accelerating, my front passenger side started to hum loudly and vibrate. With the passenger window down I could hear a grinding/chattering also coming from that side. I immediately started slowing down thinking this thing is gonna blow. And just as I started slowing down, and the humming couldn't get any louder, there was a huge BANG from what felt like the diff. After that, perfectly silent. As if nothing had happened... Drove home without any problem.

Anyone have any ideas? Before I jumped on the road I reversed the truck in 2H, to disengage the locking hubs. The rears spun in the snow, the front's didn't move so I assumed they were not still locked.

 

[beef tits]

... Weird

When was the last time you serviced your hubs? Do you use 4x4 regularly? Are you now missing any fender plastics?

Sounds like you have some troubleshooting to do my man.

 

[xter500]

I just bought the thing a few months ago so not sure about that. I've experienced a few more symptoms in the past few weeks that could help narrow it down.

-Sometimes when the truck is backed into a parking space, in 2H and even if I've had it in 2H for days, I'll pull out immediately turning hard, the front right end will thump and hop as if it's locked in 4H...
Once I straighten it out, it will continue to thump/bang loudly even driving straight. Each thump occurs at about the same rate as one CV joint rotation.

-Usually backing up 50 feet or so solves the problem. After which it drives completely normal as if nothing happened. Again it was in 2H for days, but suddenly behaved like it was in 4H.

-Every time I put it in 4H it drives normal. Everything works. Putting it back in the 2H, it sounds like something in the front passenger side wheel area is not letting go. As I get up in speed, it will start grinding, vibrating, finally turning into a horrible whirring sound like something is about to blow, followed by a loud bang. That often feels like it's coming from the rear diff. Afterwards it's silent.

I'm hoping maybe it's the auto locking hub just failing to disengage, but I don't know why the rear diff would bind up and go bang when the truck is in 2H. The front axles are supposed to be disconnected when the hubs are unlocked correct?

 

[Grease Monkey]

Yup it does that when it doesnt quite disengage properly. you probably just need to back up further.

 

[xter500]

Alright boys and girls take a look at this!

I pulled the driver's side auto hub and here's what I found here. 3 broken metal teeth sitting inside the hub! I'm trying to find a picture of the inside of one of the stock hubs. I'm not sure if these teeth came off the hub itself or off the fixed cam assembly. I'm guessing this explains the issue I've been having with the hub not disengaging. Either way, I'm thinking I might order a set of Warn manual locking hubs.

 

[hellrazor762]

Ouch.

 

[Grease Monkey]

Mine never looked like that.
cant think of any place that metal could be from..
I like my auto hubs haha.. getting lazy.

 

[CharlotteRealtor]

Thanks for the pictures! Nice to see the results (even if they're bad).

 

[xter500]

Lucky me, a wrecker not even 5 minutes away just got an 04 Xterra about a week ago. I swung by and was able to pull a hub from it. Cleaned it up, greased it, not too much, and threw it on. Seems to have done the trick. I can shift in and out of 4H no problem. Just in time for all the snow we've been getting this week too.