Differential grinding noise when parking - Prado 97 3400 V6

[Towpack]

I'm not a 90 owner but that looks like the steering rack?

 

[amacatan]

I am still inclined to think that it has something to do with the differential and it being 4wd. I recall jonnyboy54321's post regarding the differential being engaged. How do I check this?

 

[Shayne]

I might get this wrong coz i'm going from memory but somebody is sure to quickly correct me if i am . If you jack a back wheel up , and disengage the handbrake you should be able to turn the back wheel by hand . If the diff is engaged you won't be able to turn it because it is locked to the other 3 wheels which will still be on the ground .

 

[amacatan]

I think you might be needing this http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=16&cid=1016&vid=921

Just to be clear i'm no mechanic and have only recently starting messing with these trucks myself . There are many others on here who can offer far better advice but not until the source of the problem is identified .

I checked the bushings and they still look ok.

 

[amacatan]

I might get this wrong coz i'm going from memory but somebody is sure to quickly correct me if i am . If you jack a back wheel up , and disengage the handbrake you should be able to turn the back wheel by hand . If the diff is engaged you won't be able to turn it because it is locked to the other 3 wheels which will still be on the ground .

Ok I'll try this. Just thinking ahead, how can I disengage this if it is engaged?

 

[Shayne]

Put the small gear lever in HH and make sure the electric diff switch to the right and below your steering wheel is turned off .

 

[Shayne]

Where in the world are you Amacatan ?

 

[amacatan]

Put the small gear lever in HH and make sure the electric diff switch to the right and below your steering wheel is turned off .

I had it at H and the diff lock notification is unlit. But by the way it is, I guess you are on the right track that the car seems to be not disengaging the diff lock. How do we remedy this?

 

[amacatan]

Where in the world are you Amacatan ?

I am from the Philippines

 

[Shayne]

 

[Shayne]

Just behind the shiney bit is a rusty hat like cap with two 10mm bolt holding it on , take that off and inside you will see a pin , that pin should move back and forth when you turn the electric diff switch . You must have the centre diff locked using the small gear lever or it won't work . Oil the pin and tap it a little turning the switch on and off while you go and hopefully it will free up . Sometimes you have to drive or reverse a few metres before the diffs lock .

 

[amacatan]

I might get this wrong coz i'm going from memory but somebody is sure to quickly correct me if i am . If you jack a back wheel up , and disengage the handbrake you should be able to turn the back wheel by hand . If the diff is engaged you won't be able to turn it because it is locked to the other 3 wheels which will still be on the ground .

I just did this and I was able to turn one wheel by hand which means that the differential is not locked. Could it be that it somewhat locks itself erratically as I am turning?

 

[Shayne]

No thats very unlikely indeed

 

[amacatan]

It is not locked but I feel a slight resistance when I start to turn it

 

[Shayne]

Well sorry mate its after midnight here and i'm off to bed but nevermind we have ruled out locker problems , so maybe tomorrow we will work out its wheel bearings or something else .

 

[amacatan]

Well sorry mate its after midnight here and i'm off to bed but nevermind we have ruled out locker problems , so maybe tomorrow we will work out its wheel bearings or something else .

Thanks Shayne. I appreciate the help!

 

[amacatan]

I do not have the shiny part as in the pic in my Prado, but I noticed that there is an electrical connector which is not plugged anywhere. Could this be related to my problem? I do not see anything the connector could have been disconnected from though.

 

[Shayne]

You don't have a rear locker and the wiring loom is generally the same on all 90's so you can ignore that electrical connector and your diff locks , its something else . If you have checked all the bushes and found them to be ok the only other thing i can think off is your handbrake caliper may be sticking . Other than that its back to your steering wrack unless someone else has any ideas ?

 

[amacatan]

I found this video regarding the front drive shaft -> http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&s...anvOcZ3Isr6l6z2pQ&sig2=LsUhqhiYIQLY_idw8j_0og

My front drive shaft has the same amount of play. Is this normal?

 

[Shayne]

I would say there is nothing wrong with the shaft in the vid