4x4 Clunked Before Engaging

[peteking]

So yesterday I pulled a 3-point turn and backed halfway into a downhill driveway that was pretty slippery, and I got a little stuck. A gentle foot on the throttle engaged my G80, with no luck. So I let off the gas, engaged 4Hi, and slowly accelerated again. After about 2-3 seconds my 4x4 engaged, but not before I heard a (pretty loud) rotational clunking noise coming from the area where my transfer case is. The noise was similar to the sound a torque clutch makes on your cordless electric drill; only deeper and metallic-sounding. Like some gears slipped before engaging.

 

I crawled up & out of the driveway just fine and my 4x4 disengaged with no issue. No fluid is leaking anywhere but I'll take a closer look tonight with my creeper and work light. Truck seems to drive OK, but she has never made that noise before and it scared me a bit. Think I should get it checked out--or am I worried for no good reason?

[KMGZ400]

whenever i switch into 4wd, it sometimes makes noises like that, theres always a lot of clunking and whatnot. i dont think you have anything to worry about.

[MS3DALE]

I agree,I think your OK Pete....Just normal noises for the 4wd engaging.

[peteking]

OK...thanks for the peace-of-mind, boys! I'm always weary of new & unique noises like that...

[Garrett Street]

I get a 'clunk' nearly every time I engage 4x4. I've get to have any kind of problem with it. I think you're A okay

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

+1 , They usually clunk worse when you have the rear stuck because you are not turning the front wheels untill it engages. When you have all 4 wheels rolling and engage it usually sounds a little better.

[music]

Mine usually goes to 4x4 quietly, but if it hasn't been engaged for a while, there may be a quick "clunk" the first time.

[stefman722]

You should have heard the noise my 07 colorado made when switching to 4-low! Now that was a clunk!. It's normal I figure too!

[oldmann]

You'll be fine. My 800 clunked often. Love the two tone. They need to offet that again. I love gold on black.

[peteking]

You'll be fine. My 800 clunked often. Love the two tone. They need to offet that again. I love gold on black.

 

Thanks! I wouldn't have worried...I've heard the single 'clunk' noise before as the electronic 4wd kicks in. But this was the first incident where I heard the machine gun-style "bam-bam-bam-bam" where I think gear teeth were repeatedly slipping against each other before locking up. But a few successful test drives, thorough visual inspection, and feedback on this forum have eased my nerves.

[jdewolfe]

You'll be fine. My 800 clunked often. Love the two tone. They need to offet that again. I love gold on black.

 

Thanks! I wouldn't have worried...I've heard the single 'clunk' noise before as the electronic 4wd kicks in. But this was the first incident where I heard the machine gun-style "bam-bam-bam-bam" where I think gear teeth were repeatedly slipping against each other before locking up. But a few successful test drives, thorough visual inspection, and feedback on this forum have eased my nerves.

 

 

 

I have had this happen on my 06 before. Only time though is when I was already kind of stuck in 2wd and then put it into 4wd and it engages. I think you'll be fine!

[jro909]

i believe the clunk is from the teeth not lining up right away ...nothen to worry about, my last 4x4 with a shifter clunked/banged and took 5 minutes to engage lol

[tnerb]

shoulda kept it in reverse and rolled back a bit then went forward