1978 Quadra-trac metal rubbing/squeak sound.

[velvetcustoms]

I need some help figuring out what the hell it is. I'm asking here in particular because I've read about the front cone gear in the t-case being funny. See videos in following links. The noise coming and going is from me accelerating and letting off the gas, respectively.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WdtjolimhjeLC3a02
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9LP0a14QWypU3nTQ2


Symptoms-
-only under load/acceleration. As soon as I let off the gas, it stops. So I don't hear it when coasting, deceleration, or just maintaining same speed.
-both 1st+2nd gear (probably 3rd too, but it's hard to hear and less torque)
-it doesn't really happen when turning, even in 4wd on dry pavement under tons of load. This leads me to think it's not related to the t-case, but what do I know.
-the sound is kind of a light metallic rub/squeak (not grinding, not high pitched squeal like a belt)
-it does have a rotational frequency, which seems to get more steady the harder the acceleration
-it seems to have started and gotten progressively worse in the last few months (maybe 200 miles)
-i drove around for a little bit in December with no front driveshaft, and never noticed the noise. But that was when I assumed the noise was from the driveshaft rubbing the exhaust x-over.

Stuff I've done/checked
-ive poked around at the engine and mounts, but I don't see any issues there
-i thought it was exhaust on front driveshaft, but I rerouted it. No change
-thought it was exhaust rubbing on frame where it's squished next to transfer case. Pretty much ruled that out.
-ive done all the u-joints on the front driveshaft. No change
-diffs and t-case have good fluid.

As I write this, I'm thinking it's got to be something in front axle or front output of t-case. But I'm still perplexed.

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[Stuka]

That sounds like a failing bearing to me. Starts to howl soon as there is load on it. How hot does the t-case get after a drive? Feel around both outputs and such. A bearing making a noise like that will get hot pretty fast.

[fulsizjeep]

I have heard this noise before. Have you checked the fluid level in the QuadraTrac? Have you tried test driving it like in the videos while in Edrive ? That is where I would start.

[Stuka]

If it does need fluid added, be aware the QT uses special fluid. You can buy it premade or mix your own.

[fulsizjeep]

If it does need fluid added, be aware the QT uses special fluid. You can buy it premade or mix your own.

Unless, of course, it has a part time kit in it. Then it would use ATF. We haven't established whether it is part time or not.

[Stuka]

If it does need fluid added, be aware the QT uses special fluid. You can buy it premade or mix your own.

Unless, of course, it has a part time kit in it. Then it would use ATF. We haven't established whether it is part time or not.

Ah yes, you are correct

[velvetcustoms]

As said, t-case has fluid and it is correct tcl-1. The noise is same in or out of e-drive, but I never notice it when turning.

I'm pretty mechanical, but the quadra-trac setup I can't wrap my head around, as opposed to a stock part t-case and locking hubs.

I removed the front driveshaft last night
1) I remembered I didn't replace the centering bearing in the cardan joint because it seemed fine. I started to hope that was it. To give it a good re-greasing I had to remove the driveshaft.
2) I confirmed that there's no noise when front driveshaft.

I noticed the following play in axle shaft when lining up the driveshaft. And looks like the lip on the yoke slinger/seal is busting off. I'm hoping the problem lies in the hub/spindle. But I'm confused about the following:
1) why only a noise when driveshaft is in? What difference would that make?
2) why does the axle shaft have so much end play? I'm not familiar enough with this setup, but is it supposed to be floating, or which parts are supposed to hold it place?
3) why is the axle shaft spring loaded to outside (when I move it in the video, it springs back to the outside)?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/33QhCX1c3NFn0YQv1

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[fulsizjeep]

There is a big spring inside the hub behind the drive slug. That would push the axle back out.

Here is a thought now that you have shared an update. I have had that noise with a dry spindle bearing on the front axle. Only made the noise when throttle applied but not when coasting. It ended up ruining the stub shaft before I figured it out.

[velvetcustoms]

@fulsizjeep- I know about the spring in the hub, BUT now that you made me think twice, I realized I was wrong in thinking that it preloaded the axle by pushing it inwards. Thanks.

Im familiar with symptoms of a failing wheel bearing. It my very well be the problem, but if it is, Im having trouble convincing myself why the driveshaft would make a difference. I mean either way the whole front axle is spinning.

Regardless, I'll deal with the hubs/spindles and update the thread with what I find.



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[fulsizjeep]

Im familiar with symptoms of a failing wheel bearing. It my very well be the problem, but if it is, Im having trouble convincing myself why the driveshaft would make a difference. I mean either way the whole front axle is spinning.

The difference is when the driveshaft is out, the axle assembly is driven from the wheels and not the driveshaft driving the assembly at the pinion. The drive torque is coming from opposite directions. Crazy huh.

[velvetcustoms]

Im familiar with symptoms of a failing wheel bearing. It my very well be the problem, but if it is, Im having trouble convincing myself why the driveshaft would make a difference. I mean either way the whole front axle is spinning.

The difference is when the driveshaft is out, the axle assembly is driven from the wheels and not the driveshaft driving the assembly at the pinion. The drive torque is coming from opposite directions. Crazy huh.

CONCLUDED-
It was the stupid sheet metal dust slinger spinning inside the knuckle. I only heard it in a straight line because that's when the axle shaft spring in the hub was pulling the shaft out enough cause the joint to drag on the slinger. When turning, the joint centers on the knuckle which drew it in just enough to stop dragging.

What an awful noise for such a nothing part. And an awful lot of work to get to it. But pretty minor in the grand scheme. I feel lucky that I even stumbled on it, because I was about ready dig into the axle or the quadra-trac.

The bearings we're all OK (some wear but not failing). The grease was pretty old. The hub/rotor seal was fine, but if there were ever seals behind the spindle, they were long gone. But will I was in there, I just redid everything and even cleaned up a couple of parts.

Also found the top ball joint was loose in the taper, so that was an easy fix and fixed some slop in the wheel.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/X2o0KVQX8lJWT3In1

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XdHvkcg3GYE0XvZ32

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SMf8wVenzhFDasgO2


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[fulsizjeep]

AH-HAH! Glad you figured it out. I have always trashed those dust shields the first time I do brakes on one.

[velvetcustoms]

AH-HAH! Glad you figured it out. I have always trashed those dust shields the first time I do brakes on one.

I looked at it and test fit the new one like 20 times. Just seems like a stupid design, and I doesn't do a whole lot. I opted to leave it off.

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[letank]

As said above, useless noise makers that will fail in the most unconvenient times. Shieldless since the esrly 90's