4x4 CAD/T-Case
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Joined: Feb 2007
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4x4 CAD/T-Case
I am new to this site as well as a first time owner of a 99 Dodge 2500 4x4 Quadcab 5.9V8. I just purchased this truck knowing that it has a 4x4 problem. The truck has stock suspension with 285/75/16 and 4:10 gears. When I engage the 4hi or 4lo the 4x4 indicator lights up on dash and it seems to engage front axle, however, I do get the clanking/poping noise indicating bad u joints when turning hard to either side. When Iengage 4hi on pavement and turn sharply to one side or the other, the vehicle skips as I would expect it to do that so I am confident that the front axle is engaged and both front wheels are pulling. So I put the truck up on jacks stands, started up truck and engaged 4x4 and all four wheels turn, turned wheel sharply to one side and the noise was comming from the t-case. I have checked the CAD system for vacuum but I'm not convinced that it fully engages front axle. I get a little growling sound when in 4hi traveling down the road at 40 mph and goes away under load or acceleration. I have no problems or strange sounds in 2wd. I have serviced both diffs, trans, and t-case. I am considering replacing the cad with the posi-lok thatI've read about on this site. If I am having problems in the t-case, based on the info provided, what could the problem be? Thanks, Bill
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Warren, NJ
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
I'm pretty sure the switch that turns on the 4WD light doesn't activate until the axle is fully locked.
When you say "noise coming from xfer case" ... are you talking about the clanging/popping?
When you say "noise coming from xfer case" ... are you talking about the clanging/popping?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
edit - welcome.
the 4wd light is activated by the shift fork moving all the way over. and since you have the tire skipping/binding, and both front tires driving, then your axle is coupled up fine. it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with your cad, so a posilock is not going to fix your noise problem.
try a short piece of pipe as a stethoscope. metal or pvc doesn't matter. it really helps to trace down a noise. don't get hurt but listen to all areas of the drive line while its turning. could be t-case, maybe the chain, could be the front drive shaft (double carden ujoint) - squirt the center ball with some wd40. could be diff. could be axle ujoints.
the 4wd light is activated by the shift fork moving all the way over. and since you have the tire skipping/binding, and both front tires driving, then your axle is coupled up fine. it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with your cad, so a posilock is not going to fix your noise problem.
try a short piece of pipe as a stethoscope. metal or pvc doesn't matter. it really helps to trace down a noise. don't get hurt but listen to all areas of the drive line while its turning. could be t-case, maybe the chain, could be the front drive shaft (double carden ujoint) - squirt the center ball with some wd40. could be diff. could be axle ujoints.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
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RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
I had the truck up on tall jack stands under the axles with the trans in drive and at an idle with the wheels turned to the point that the noise could be heard, I then went underneath the truck and followed the noise and I ended up at the transfer case. I am not familiar with how the cad system works other than what I've read here on this site. I wasn't sure how to tell if the front hubs where fully engaged or if they could be partially engaged. I also tried to spin the front wheels on a gravel road to check to see if they worked but it seemed as though the rear wheels spinned first or had more power to the rear axle, is that possible? The noise from the t-case only happens when you turn the wheels and put a bind on the t-case. Any suggestions on a good manual, all I have is a Chiltons. While in 4hi it is possible that the growling noise I'm hearing is from the t-case, previous owner installed flowmaster 40 so its kinda hard to here at 40mph with the windows down. So far I am impressed with the truck, the steering is tight and drives nice and handles good. I have never been inside a t-case and I would like to tackle this problem, I've read on here where people have gone inside while still in the truck. Not sure if that's the best method, but if your just talking about replacing the chain or something, that sounds doable. Thanks for all your help.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Houston, B.C.
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
Professional
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Hudson, NH
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
ORIGINAL: bill360
I had the truck up on tall jack stands under the axles with the trans in drive and at an idle with the wheels turned to the point that the noise could be heard, I then went underneath the truck and followed the noise and I ended up at the transfer case. I am not familiar with how the cad system works other than what I've read here on this site. I wasn't sure how to tell if the front hubs where fully engaged or if they could be partially engaged. I also tried to spin the front wheels on a gravel road to check to see if they worked but it seemed as though the rear wheels spinned first or had more power to the rear axle, is that possible? The noise from the t-case only happens when you turn the wheels and put a bind on the t-case. Any suggestions on a good manual, all I have is a Chiltons. While in 4hi it is possible that the growling noise I'm hearing is from the t-case, previous owner installed flowmaster 40 so its kinda hard to here at 40mph with the windows down. So far I am impressed with the truck, the steering is tight and drives nice and handles good. I have never been inside a t-case and I would like to tackle this problem, I've read on here where people have gone inside while still in the truck. Not sure if that's the best method, but if your just talking about replacing the chain or something, that sounds doable. Thanks for all your help.
I had the truck up on tall jack stands under the axles with the trans in drive and at an idle with the wheels turned to the point that the noise could be heard, I then went underneath the truck and followed the noise and I ended up at the transfer case. I am not familiar with how the cad system works other than what I've read here on this site. I wasn't sure how to tell if the front hubs where fully engaged or if they could be partially engaged. I also tried to spin the front wheels on a gravel road to check to see if they worked but it seemed as though the rear wheels spinned first or had more power to the rear axle, is that possible? The noise from the t-case only happens when you turn the wheels and put a bind on the t-case. Any suggestions on a good manual, all I have is a Chiltons. While in 4hi it is possible that the growling noise I'm hearing is from the t-case, previous owner installed flowmaster 40 so its kinda hard to here at 40mph with the windows down. So far I am impressed with the truck, the steering is tight and drives nice and handles good. I have never been inside a t-case and I would like to tackle this problem, I've read on here where people have gone inside while still in the truck. Not sure if that's the best method, but if your just talking about replacing the chain or something, that sounds doable. Thanks for all your help.
Record Breaker
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Gaylord, MI
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
ORIGINAL: Terran
That's definantly a way to win a Darwin Award.
That's definantly a way to win a Darwin Award.
Anyways, I remember there being something that commonly breaks in these NP231HD's. I would pop the cover off and take a look inside, look for any metal shavings or chunks. Maybe the chain is really loose, or the oil has water in it or has never been changed. How many miles on it?
Whatever it is I really don't think its to big of a problem, I just can't remember exactly what breaks in them.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
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RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
you know there always has to be one D*CKHEAD in the crowd, if I had taken it to a shop they would have taken it on a test drive, then put it up on the rack and done the same thing I did, I don't have a lift in my garage but I do have large stands rated to carry the load of this truck! Everyonelse, thanks for your input.
Professional
Joined: Apr 2005
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From:
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
I'm sure he wasn't trying to be a Dhead. Their are idiots out there that would do it and get themselves hurt. My uncle used jacks out of various cars for years instead of investing in jackstands or a floor jack and he ended up running a car through the house. Luckily he was able to move in time. The next day he went out and bout a 4 ton floor jack and stands.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 80
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From: North Carolina
RE: 4x4 CAD/T-Case
ORIGINAL: Socha_62
Anyways, I remember there being something that commonly breaks in these NP231HD's. I would pop the cover off and take a look inside, look for any metal shavings or chunks. Maybe the chain is really loose, or the oil has water in it or has never been changed. How many miles on it?
Whatever it is I really don't think its to big of a problem, I just can't remember exactly what breaks in them.
Anyways, I remember there being something that commonly breaks in these NP231HD's. I would pop the cover off and take a look inside, look for any metal shavings or chunks. Maybe the chain is really loose, or the oil has water in it or has never been changed. How many miles on it?
Whatever it is I really don't think its to big of a problem, I just can't remember exactly what breaks in them.