Can anyone help me identify this noise.

[snowmexican]

Hello all, hoping someone can help me figure out what is causing this noise.

TLDR weird noise, service centre unhelpful, video with audio attached.

TLDR weird noise, service centre unhelpful, video with audio attached.

I’ve brought it to a service centre twice and the first time they said they didn’t find anything wrong and then I showed them the noise and the second time they said it probably “just the cold” (it is currently in the -20s and hovers around that -10 to -30 temp for thisand should possible go away on its own (they said they checked fluid levels, the axle shafts and checked for anything loose but didn’t find anything), but if it does get worse they said bring it in again and they can look again.

This issue popped up one day when it was having issues shifting into 4hi (kept saying to shift slow down to below 5kph or 3 mph) then it would still not shift and said service 4x4 system (or something like that) so I turned the vehicle off for a few minutes restarted and then shifted it again and the shift stated it was successful but upon driving it was definitely only in 2hi while saying it was in 4hi both on dash and shift knob.
When I got home I tried switching out and back in and it still wouldn’t go, so I tried 4lo (in nuteral and fully stops as it is meant to be) it said it shifted again, but it was somehow in 2lo.
Only rear tires would spin and I could hear the slight whine that comes with 4lo
The area I live in is deep winter and this day was around -40/45c° our roads are never plowed to the bare ashvault or gravel since the first major snowfall until it all melts and I have never used 4hi on bare tarmac or any hi friction surface.

I have included a video of the noise which is present consistently in 4hi or lo and most of the time in 2hi now but it will sometimes fade away or be not audible.
The noise follows the speed of the car fast I go fast it “clicks”

Also just for additional information it seems like the noise is only speed dependent as in 4hi or 4lo it clicks at the same rate and not faster in 4lo or anything

It is weirdest to me that the noise will fade away in 2hi sometimes but once I put it into 4hi it returns and then switching again will allow it to fade away (sometimes) as the bronco doesn’t have front axle disconnect as far as I know and those wheels, diff and front drive shaft should all be turning at all times.

No locking front diff and I have the Black diamond package non Sasquatch. No lift or changes in that area.

I can test a few things out here and there when I have time and when it isn’t unbearably cold.

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[BigHoof]

Maybe the transfer case not fully engaging or disengaging? There are a couple of threads with people having issues with them.

 

[snowmexican]

Maybe the transfer case not fully engaging or disengaging? There are a couple of threads with people having issues with them.

Is there any way to test this?
I have used the knob buttons to switch between 4hi and 2hi over a dozen times since the issue between trying to diagnose and also just my normal driving

I have also tried 4lo a few times to see about the noise and also put it into nuteral tow and back to see if that would help shift things around in there.

Any manual way or forced way to check if it isn’t engaging or would something like this be permanent damage and need to be replaced

 

[Eagle1]

Only thing I can think you can do to help diagnose this is, your going to have to put this on jack stands and take off all 4 tires and put it in gear and you should find where this nose if coming from. Let us know your findings......

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