Yesterday we were driving on the highway in my dads 07 fg. Then out of no where a big sploosh and clunk came from right under our feet. We pulled over and as soon as we got out we smelt burning oil/grease. Took a look under and the front axle was leaking and the transfer case and rear axle were covered in oil/grease (couldn't tell what it was). So we had to continue ( i know bad idea) and went to work. The truck was left running for 2 hours because its was -50 with the windchill and their was no outlets around. So we finished sanding the parking lot, loaded up the bobcat and were on our way. My dad decides to try out 4wd. A terrible noise comes from the front axle and it sounded like it was dying. So we continued home ( its sunday the dealer isn't open). Everything was fine but the truck didn't really feel the same as before. Today my dad went to the dealer and they weren't sure what the problem is so they are taking apart the front axle. The truck has about 6000 km. This forum seems the most knowledgable about fg's so do you guys have any ideas what could be wrong? Thanks for reading.
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At a minimum is sounds like you lost a seal on the front differential. That would account for the oil on the transfer case and further back. Were the hubs engaged or disengaged when the problem occurred? Was it in 4wd? If the hubs were disengaged and not in 4wd, I don't see how driving on the highway could cause a differential failure since the front wheels should be freewheeling.
kerry said:
Yah thats the thing. My dad always keeps the hubs locked. Its a really dumb thing to do but he is the type of guy that always thinks he is right.... well thank god for that 5 year warranty. I also hope that my dad will now see that little things you miss can cause big problems.
The dealer that performed the free service at 2400 or so miles forgot to tighten the front diferential drain plug.
I didn't catch it until I was on a trip about 4000 miles later when I saw a small drip.
Upon checking the drain plug had vibrated almost completely out - just a few threads left.
I didn't catch it until I was on a trip about 4000 miles later when I saw a small drip.
Upon checking the drain plug had vibrated almost completely out - just a few threads left.
FusoFG said:
That would explain the weird noise coming from the front axle right? no lubricant? Do you think the front was damaged from my dad driving about 100 metres in 4wd with no lubricant? I will post again when I get the results but I doubt that wont happen until after christmas. thx for replys
Clark White
Explorer
If he was driving around with the front hubs locked anyway, then putting it in 4x4 won't cause any more damage. Had the hubs not be locked, then at worst you might have lost the wheel berrings (depends on how the axel is set up, no idea on an fg), but it wouldn't have caused any damage to the axel shafts or differential since they would not have been turning at all.
Clark
Clark
engineer
Adventurer
It will be the front diff, can't see it causing any damage to the outer drive assembly. I've had issues with one of my hubs free wheeling even though it was locked in, some dumb bunny re assembled the free wheeling hub incorrectly, putting the stonger spring on the wrong side of the lock washer.
If this has happened, then it MAY have been spinning the diff and the star gears have gone to canter heaven........
If this has happened, then it MAY have been spinning the diff and the star gears have gone to canter heaven........