Four wheel drive makes grinding noise

STINGLER

MEMBER
2003 GMC ENVOY
240,000 MILES

Drives fine in two wheel drive, but once you put it in four wheel drive it makes a grinding noise when turning the wheel. I do not have the funds to repair at the moment but is this going to affect me driving in two wheel drive? Or is it going to cause more damage driving it in two wheel drive as it is my daily driver?

Sunday, March 24th, 2019 AT 8:22 AM

1 Reply

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey STINGLER,

You should be fine to continue using it in two wheel drive as your daily driver.

I would stop using the four wheel drive function to prevent further damage.

Do you have the "service 4WD" indicator on?

If you only have the noise in four wheel drive then you will potentially either have an issue with the transfer case or the front axle/front axle actuator.

You would need to first narrow down where the noise is coming from.

I have attached a TSB (technical service bulletin) that is applicable to your vehicle for the transfer case for you to read through.

Please let us know if you would like further info on diagnosing the issue but for now you are okay to keep driving in two wheel drive.

Hope that helps.

Regards, Joe

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