Is 4Lo supposed to be loud?

Hey all!

The 4Runner is my first real 4x4 so I’m still learning, it’s a 2020 SR5P. I haven’t used 4Hi or 4Lo in a long time so I was told I should turn it on just to exercise it.

4Hi is no problem but when I put into neutral and shifted to 4Lo then back to drive, I noticed it grinds really loud. I rolled forward maybe 20 feet and came to a stop and when I did, the grinding sounds continued until I came to a full stop, same when shifting to reverse, grinding as it shifts and the car moves a bit and when letting off the brakes and then coming to a full stop again. It almost sounds like if your brakes are wet a bit after a rain storm and you get that loud harsh grinding noise for the first stop or two. I don’t know how else to describe it.

Is this normal? Could it be because I haven’t used 4Hi or 4Lo in months? I can try and get a video if needed I just don’t want to break anything ha

 

Your description doesn't sound right to me. A 20' model shouldn't be having engagement issues.

 

It is recommended to find a dirt lot or gravel road and put it in 4h and 4lo once a month. Possibly engage and disengage the rear diff. There is supposedly a problem with engagement if they sit too long. Not sure if that is what the issue is, but it is one possibility.

 

I just took this video. It engages totally fine, it after I switch it from neutral to drive. You can hear the noises as I shift from neutral to drive, roll a few feet and come to a stop, then into reverse and to a stop. This was on a slight incline. Sorry for the bad video, I was holding it outside the car so you can hear it the best.

 

I hear nothing.

 

something wrong with yo shit

 

If you talking about the creaking noise thats not the 4WD.

 

yeah, the creaking noise. What could that be? It only happens in 4Lo that’s why I assumed it had something to do with the 4WD system?

 

Mine does the same thing in 2WD/4HI/4LOW only when letting off the brakes slightly.

I'm assuming something on my suspension or brakes needs to be greased. I know I'm overdue on my UCAs.

 

Interesting. I’m wondering if it’s because I very rarely use 4Hi or 4Lo. I’ll call my dealer and see if I could bring it in, maybe it’s something similar to yours and something needs to be greased.

 

I read that too but since it’s just an SR5P, it has the electronic dial not the manual transfer case so I think no matter what speed, it does it electronically anyway.

 

Ah yes just noticed that. I had a similar experience but mine has the shift lever and not dial.

 

Sounds like brakes to me. Do that procedure but just let off the brakes really fast instead of gradual and then hit them hard instead of gradual. I bet it's less loud and you don't hear it possibly.

 

Truthfully I think I can actually feel it in the brakes. I just figured that had something to do with the torque of 4Lo. I can hear it very, VERY slightly occasionally when coming to a stop in 2hi but it’s rare. In 4Lo it’s incredibly loud though, by everyone’s responses so far, sounds like it’s much louder than normal? It’s definitely less noisy in 4Lo if I do it quickly rather than gradually but I assumed if it was brakes, I would hear it like this at all times no?

 

It’s your brake pads slipping over the discs under the increased torque of low range. Just step on the brakes super hard while putting it into drive. But even if you dont, it wont hurt anything (unless you roll into something)

 

I have the same thing on mine. Noticed it after I moved to a more humid climate in N.C. Never had that problem in Arizona. It has gotten better with driving it around more but I still get it every now and again. I don’t believe it is cause for concern. I have all new suspension, new wheels, new tires, and only ~7,500 miles on the odometer so I doubt it is anything crazy but if you find out what it is please share.

 

I doubt with a brand new truck that the 4x4 is messed up. But you can always have the dealership take a quick look just to be sure. Maybe it is a brake issue.

You are supposed to exercise the 4x4. I do enough off-roading it's not an issue. I engage 4 hi even though I rarely need it on the trails I do.

Now my wife's Sequoia on the other hand never gets a 4x4 workout. I seldom drive it but I engage it maybe three times a year. It's a 2012 and it works fine even though it's hardly used.

 

IMO, It’s your brakes with the increased torque/stress being put on them in 4wd as another member stated.

 

This.
/endthread

 

Those sound like brakes. Mine does that. It’s perfectly fine when moving.