Weird rubbing noise in 4wd mode?

J-Doc · October 29, 2015

My truck is listed below. I've had it just over a month now and never used 4wd until today. I like to engage 4wd and drive a few blocks to ensure everything stays lubricated and functional. Never over the recommended speeds for low or high range either. Just simply turning the hubs and engaging the system.

You CANNOT turn the wheels through a street intersection without hearing a rubbing sound that sounds like the tires are rubbing the fenderwells.

Is this normal???

Surely something is wrong and I need to get service. If this is the normal 4wd system on a Z71 for the price I paid........I will feel ripped off. I've never had a 4wd truck that sounded like this and slows down the vehicle in a turn like this. It's very restrictive even at a dead stop when trying to turn sharply and maneuver in 4wd slowly. In hi or low range.

newdude · October 29, 2015

Are you turning on dry pavement in 4wd hi? Big no there...and if you are in 4 lo dry road? Even bigger no...

Right from the owners manual:

Caution: Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in 4 high and 4 low (if equipped) for an extended period of time. These conditions may cause premature wear on the vehicle’s powertrain.

Edited October 29, 2015 by 15HDriver

txchevy4ever · October 29, 2015

Does 4x4 HI/LO sound/feel different? Yes. Does it make a noise? Yes. Should you be testing it on dry pavement? No.

J-Doc · October 29, 2015

Wow......first 4wd vehicle I've ever had that was so sensitive to dry pavement.

I get snow 2-3 times a year and sometimes more so I know I'll be using it on ice/snow. I typically don't "test" it on dry pavement. If I drive on dry pavement in 4wd, it's always straight. I just happen to be at a 4-way stop when I decided to turn it on 4wd hi range and was turning left at the intersection and it made lots of rubbing noises. Normal driving, nothing fast or crazy.

All manufacturers tell you to not drive on dry pavement for extended time periods. I wouldn't think 100-200yds would be considered "extended time period". Once I noticed the noise, I slowed to a stop and tested it from a dead stop and turning slowly. That's all I did so I doubt anything was damaged due to that.

Was just curious if this was considered "normal".

My Tacoma had a flawless 4wd system and it would not make such noises or feel like it was binding. I used 4wd hi in my yard all the time during winter months to keep from digging in the yard. Never a problem.

CptMcSaug · October 29, 2015

4wd drive in the yard is different from gripping pavement. And its binding because its trying to lock the wheels together working harder. Maybe all the others just were more tolerant and did try to lock as quickly.

jrob56 · October 29, 2015

Wow......first 4wd vehicle I've ever had that was so sensitive to dry pavement.

I get snow 2-3 times a year and sometimes more so I know I'll be using it on ice/snow. I typically don't "test" it on dry pavement. If I drive on dry pavement in 4wd, it's always straight. I just happen to be at a 4-way stop when I decided to turn it on 4wd hi range and was turning left at the intersection and it made lots of rubbing noises. Normal driving, nothing fast or crazy.

All manufacturers tell you to not drive on dry pavement for extended time periods. I wouldn't think 100-200yds would be considered "extended time period". Once I noticed the noise, I slowed to a stop and tested it from a dead stop and turning slowly. That's all I did so I doubt anything was damaged due to that.

Was just curious if this was considered "normal".

My Tacoma had a flawless 4wd system and it would not make such noises or feel like it was binding. I used 4wd hi in my yard all the time during winter months to keep from digging in the yard. Never a problem.

There is a lot wrong with this, why would you ever turn it on on dry pavement and you did it at a 4 way before a turn? Turn 4wd on in your yard all you want and have fun your yard will allow a wheel to slip but every 4wd vehicle tells you explicitly not to turn on 4wd on dry pavement. Do you understand how that system works? The wheels are locked together and trying to turn at two different speeds, what did you expect them to do?

All that engage to stay lubricated, you dont need to do that. Use it when you need it, if you really must engage it for peace of mind that it still works do it in the rain.

Edited October 29, 2015 by jrob56

J-Doc · October 29, 2015

There is a lot wrong with this, why would you ever turn it on on dry pavement and you did it at a 4 way before a turn? Turn 4wd on in your yard all you want and have fun your yard will allow a wheel to slip but every 4wd vehicle tells you explicitly not to turn on 4wd on dry pavement. Do you understand how that system works? The wheels are locked together and trying to turn at two different speeds, what did you expect them to do?

All that engage to stay lubricated, you dont need to do that. Use it when you need it, if you really must engage it for peace of mind that it still works do it in the rain.

My Tacomas, a Nissan Frontier, and previous GMC's have never made such noise or felt so bound.

As I stated, I don't normally turn on dry pavement with 4wd. Straight only to lubricate the system.

jrob56 · October 29, 2015

My Tacomas, a Nissan Frontier, and previous GMC's have never made such noise or felt so bound.

As I stated, I don't normally turn on dry pavement with 4wd. Straight only to lubricate the system.

Grippier tires, wider contact patch maybe, too many factors to compare one to one like that, regardless dont do it its bad for all of them.

Edited October 29, 2015 by jrob56

SMiller · October 29, 2015

Completely normal!

The entire 4wd system is lubed at all times and always spinning, you are not helping anything by engaging 4wd, just use it when needed, no stress.

redwngr · October 30, 2015

Completely normal!

The entire 4wd system is lubed at all times and always spinning, you are not helping anything by engaging 4wd, just use it when needed, no stress.

No it's not.

In 2wd the front diff and the transfer case are not turning.

tnchevy · October 30, 2015

My Tacomas, a Nissan Frontier, and previous GMC's have never made such noise or felt so bound.

As I stated, I don't normally turn on dry pavement with 4wd. Straight only to lubricate the system.

I have been driving 4wd trucks my whole driving live plus over a dozen work 4wd trucks and they all will do this on a tight turn on dry pavement! I have also owned a tacoma and it did it as well. You can engage 4wd on dry pavement, just as long as you are going straight! I do this as well once a month or so just to make sure the 4wd is working but just for a few minutes on a straight road. My 04 tacoma actually stated in the owners manual that is should be driven in 4wd for so many miles each month so that is where I picked up that habit.

J-Doc · May 2, 2016

I have been driving 4wd trucks my whole driving live plus over a dozen work 4wd trucks and they all will do this on a tight turn on dry pavement! I have also owned a tacoma and it did it as well. You can engage 4wd on dry pavement, just as long as you are going straight! I do this as well once a month or so just to make sure the 4wd is working but just for a few minutes on a straight road. My 04 tacoma actually stated in the owners manual that is should be driven in 4wd for so many miles each month so that is where I picked up that habit.

Thank you for helping establish that I was not crazy when I said my manual stated this.

I have since figured out that this truck has locking differentials and that's why it has more noise/resistance when making any amount of turn whatsoever. The only reason I asked the question in the first place is because I had it in 4wd in my yard (backing in a boat) and when I exited the yard onto the street, it was still in 4wd. That's when I noticed the noise/rubbing. It was far more than my Tacoma. That's when I started exploring it a bit more. I typically do not run it in 4wd on dry paving ever. I have since stopped randomly engaging it for a mile at very low speeds (under 40mph) like I did my Tacoma per the MANUAL. Since so many people were ready to grab pitchforks and torches when I asked the question.

tnchevy · May 2, 2016

If I remember correctly, my tacoma had the "drive in 4wd" advisement on a silver sticker near the door handle or on the sun visor. Your truck will only have one locking diff, the rear one if you have the G80 option. The front was hopping because the front diff is of the open design but the tires are being pushed and fighting each other for traction. The only vehicles I know of that have a front locking diff as an option are Fiat/Chrysler vehicles (Jeeps and Ram Power Wagon). I still am and will continue to engage 4wd a couple of times a month, just something I am used to doing and will continue to do so.

jamesonjc · May 3, 2016

ALL 4wd vehicles are sensitive to dry pavement. If this is new to you, you were damaging your old vehicles just as you are your new one.

READ YOUR MANUAL!

Wow......first 4wd vehicle I've ever had that was so sensitive to dry pavement.

I get snow 2-3 times a year and sometimes more so I know I'll be using it on ice/snow. I typically don't "test" it on dry pavement. If I drive on dry pavement in 4wd, it's always straight. I just happen to be at a 4-way stop when I decided to turn it on 4wd hi range and was turning left at the intersection and it made lots of rubbing noises. Normal driving, nothing fast or crazy.

All manufacturers tell you to not drive on dry pavement for extended time periods. I wouldn't think 100-200yds would be considered "extended time period". Once I noticed the noise, I slowed to a stop and tested it from a dead stop and turning slowly. That's all I did so I doubt anything was damaged due to that.

Was just curious if this was considered "normal".

My Tacoma had a flawless 4wd system and it would not make such noises or feel like it was binding. I used 4wd hi in my yard all the time during winter months to keep from digging in the yard. Never a problem.

FL335i · May 3, 2016

J-Doc. This is my first 1/2 ton 4WD. I've had a lot of toyotas and even a F250. None made the "rubbing" noise you described. But yes, if you are on dry pack, pavement etc in 4wd it will make the "rub" noise. I work in construction, large sites. I use Auto 4wd more than anything. I get the rubbing noise even on some good dirt roads when in 4 hi. But the more you use it the less noise it makes. I'll admit, I'm a experienced rock crawler, SAS'd 4runner, run Detroit lockers and it alarmed even me. Just the way these more modern systems operate. Everything is tighter. I have 44k on my truck and the noise is about half what it was when new. I changed my diff oils this past weekend and tried 4wd today on the job. even more quite. In short... NORMAL. Do not drive on good traction surfaces with any 4wd. Use the Auto 4wd. 4WD is for real-deal sand, mud etc; Loose surfaces.

Edited May 3, 2016 by FL335i