What Causes the Abnormal Noise When Turning in Four-Wheel Drive?
2 Answers
Abnormal noise during turning can be caused by the following reasons: Lack of oil in the shock absorber's plane bearing: Open the hood and listen to see if the sound is coming from the top of the shock absorber. If the noise is from the plane bearing of the shock absorber, you can apply some grease to the plane bearing. If the noise persists after greasing, replacement is the only option. Loose or damaged stabilizer bar bushings: Check if the stabilizer bar bushings are loose or damaged. Loose or damaged stabilizer bar bushings can cause noise not only when turning the steering wheel but also when driving on uneven roads. Loose bushings can be fixed by adding shims, but damaged ones must be replaced. Turn signal return clip: If the noise occurs only when turning the steering wheel after activating the turn signal, it is likely coming from the return clip of the turn signal auto-return mechanism. The noise will click once when turning the steering wheel and three times per full rotation because there are three auto-return positions on the steering column. This noise will disappear once the turn signal is turned off. Steering column dust cover: If you hear noise coming from below the steering wheel whenever you turn it, whether stationary or moving, check the steering column dust cover. A lack of lubrication in the dust cover can cause dry friction noise. Applying grease inside the dust cover will eliminate the noise.
I've experienced quite a bit of off-road driving, and the unusual noises when turning in four-wheel drive are usually common signals of the 4WD system under working load. The main reasons include wear and tear on the transfer case or differential gears, where the speed difference between the inner and outer wheels during a turn causes the gears to not mesh properly, resulting in friction sounds; aging or loose universal joints on the half-shafts, which cause metal knocking when subjected to additional force during steering; uneven tire sizes or tread wear, leading to imbalance when the differential distributes power, producing squeaking noises; and the differential lock not being properly released, forcing the driveshaft to twist during hard turns. I recommend starting with checking the tire pressure and tread to ensure consistency across all four wheels, then observe the speed and direction at which the noise occurs. If it only happens during low-speed turns, it might be due to insufficient or contaminated gear oil—refill with new oil promptly. If the noise is accompanied by vibrations, stop using the four-wheel drive and take it to a professional shop to check for gear wear or replace half-shaft components. Don't delay, as it could worsen the system damage.
