Front(4WD) driveshaft spinning in 2WD

Have a strange thing going on, been hearing a slight gear rotating sound along with a very soft high pitch sound the past few days. While checking under the truck for anything out of the ordinary I noticed my front driveshaft has been rotating while in 2wd. Not sure why this is happening, my front driveshaft wouldn't spin before while in 2WD. I know it's rotating because the Zerk fittings have been in a different spot every time I've check.

Anyone thoughts on why this is happening?

Thanks

 

Sounds like your xfer case isn't disengaging. Maybe that little actuator on there isn't letting go?

 

Just because it's in 2wd doesn't mean that the driveshaft won't spin.

Drag from the wheels rotating will make it move.

 

Go out to some dirt/gravel and gas it in 2wd. Check the ruts for rear only digs.

 

What could cause drag from the wheels?

 

As in try to spin the tires and see if the front spin as well?

 

Oil in the diff, air movement.

 

Thanks

 

I know on bikes up on stands, they'll still turn the rear wheel in neutral due to the crankcase, clutch, and trans all being in the same fluid. Same thing on the front driveshaft I'm guessing.

 

You should be able to rotate the front drive shaft by hand, if you can do that then the T-case is not engaged.

 

I'll give that a try today. Thanks

 

The front driveshaft spins freely. Popped it in n out of 4wd drive a few times and I could hear the actuator engaging/disengaging.

that slight gear sound I hear is only in the morn when I’m reversing out of an incline driveway.

I remember a time I would just drive this truck and if new sound came along, I’d just drive it till it went away lol. Maybe that’s my best course of action

 

I’ll never forget the day in 2012 when my right side sway bar link snapped going out of the driveway. I though, she’ll be alright.

 

if it's engaging/disengaging correctly and you don't have a blinking 4hi or 4lo light on the dash, chances are it's working as designed. Given the fact that you can spin the forward drive shaft by hand, I would say it's operating normally.

 

There is drag in the whole front end even when in 2wd. Everything slightly spins even with no load applied.

If the transfer case or ADD didn’t disconnect you would be getting a flashy beeby light on your dash.

 

Completely normal. Our 4wd is an off/on switch, no in between. Not only the light but the first 100yrds of driving will let you know your in 4wd. Put it in 4wd on pavement and try to turn, the lights won't need to tell you something is wrong.

 

Pics of beeby light, plz.

 

Think I may have found the problem. My transfer case is leaking. Guess I hit something on the trail.

 

My transfer case seal started leaking, looked like that. The discoloration above could be blowback from that little leak that accumulates and drips from the lowest point. I was freaked out— because I worry every time I face some new truck thing I haven’t done before— but I did some research, then fixed it in my driveway. It wasn’t too hard. I did buy 2 special tools for uncrimping and crimping the nut (staking tool and unstaking tool; I’ll post a pic of the tool when I get home) but guys have completed the job using alternate tools. The most challenging part for me, since I’m not super strong physically, especially working overhead, was pulling/ holding the drive shaft away from the transfer case. I used a ratchet strap and it worked great.

Anyway, I hope that’s your problem (that you didn’t break something). to check, wipe all that off... use break-free or something, then let it sit and when you check back, you’ll see where it’s leaking from. If it’s that seam, it’s the seal.

 

Thanks, pretty sure it’s a seal/gasket leak. I can see where the oil is somewhat fresh along the side.