i havent had to use my 4wd since i fixed my axle shaft seals a few months back, however today the roads are covered in snow, so that it would be a good day to do so.

the problem is, whenever the t-case is engaged it makes a monotonous whining noise when driving around, is this normal, whats the deal? when just idling forward its a clicking noise but the faster you go, the more it progresses to the whining.

 

Check fluid level, and also check the output shaft snap ring. Mine doesn't really make any other noises when 4wd is engaged..... just drives a bit 'different'.

 

i just recently had it aprt to fix a tailshaft housing leak and havent seen any leaks, i check it once a week. the snap ring has been removed twice...

now that i listen to it kind of sounds like the chain.... you can here it contacting the gears when idling forward and then it progresses to a whirring.... wait but if it was the chain, wuldnt it do it in 2wd too?

 

Chain shouldn't be under stress in 2wd. In fact, in most cases, it shouldn't be moving at all. (in 2wd)

When you had it apart, did you check chain tension? IS there a tensioner for the chain in the 231 case?? Might just be stretched a bit.... in which case, it will be a bit noisy.

 

The chain doesn't move in 2wd, but if its clicking, sounds like a stretched chain

 

so, i guess the question that needs to be asked now is... does it need to be replaced?

 

How nervous does it make you?

 

The clicking noise sounds like it could be the double Cardan joint on the driveshaft.

 

hmm, thats a little more exciting!

the question is not "how nervous does it make me?", but "how nervous should it make me?" haha

 

BTW i can replicate the noise by simply getting under the truck and spinning the front drive shaft by hand