Hi there,

I have a 98 Dakota sport V8 (Auto) 4x4. This is my first 4x4, so I am not that familiar with them.

My 4x4 is making a horrible grinding noise when put into 4x4. I had been doing some google searches, and it appears as though some of this is normal. But i am curious as to ow much? Mine never seems to go away. I in fact pretty much don't use 4x4 at all now for the fear of wrecking it. I was just looking for some feed back before I take it to a mechanic.

I had read the owners manual to ensure I was switching into 4x4 properly, and it appears as I am. Ad in fact attempted to take extra precautions by putting the auto transmission in neutral, turned off the engine, put it into the desired 4x4 (IE 4 high, etc), restarted and into drive. Yeah i had less grinding, but it seemed that it was still there, and especially hwen i accelerated.

Ideas?

 

I've got the same truck as you, and I have no noise in 4wd. There is no such thing as "normal grinding."
You've got some problems, probably in the transfer case, but could also be the front axel cv joints and the front axel drive shaft. While you're in it, might as well take off the front differential cover and see if there's any metal filings in it, also.

 

check the fluid levels first. especially the t-case.

 

grind grind grind clunk poof boom! thunk! lol. The whole tcase and tranny are gone lol.

I would look into it. I get a slight hummm from my 4x4 but thats normal.

 

there is axle bind which sounds like a grinding, but its just tires rubbing on the road, and its ONLY when turning, but that is the only time i get any noise in 4 wd, and only time any 4x4 i have been in makes any noise