Stuck in 4 low

[86customanche]

Disclaimer.... rookie mechanic, running son's Manche monthly while he is out of state.

 

'92 4.0L 4WD.

 

It is stuck in 4 low and I can't move the shifter to 4 high or 2WD.  But it does run, so I exercise it in 4 low, shifting from first to 2nd to 3rd.

 

Thanks.

[Eagle]

Put a jack under the rear axle and lift both rear wheels off the ground to relax any stress on the drive line, then try shifting.

[Dzimm]

Also make sure you shift the transmission into neutral to shift out of 4 low. Take a look under the drivers side of the trans and inspect the t-case linkage to make sure it isn't bent or bound up.

[Pete M]

when I bought my 90 rust was the problem.  had to crawl underneath and shift it out of 4wd with a wrench on the t-case lever :(

[86customanche]

With the rear wheels lifted, and in neutral, I can only rotate the wheels about 1-2 inches.  I see both drive shafts moving.  I am able to get it to 4 high from 4 low, but not out of 4wd.

I'll try to take a look at the transfer case later today.

Thanks.

[DirtyComanche]

Use a wrench with it on stands like that.  If it really won't go, something is broken.  It should come out of 4wd with very minimal force, only the spring pressure on the detent ball will be holding it at that point.  At that point if it still won't go I'd take the linkage off the tcase (14mm nut/stud holds it on, IIRC) and try shifting it with a wrench on where the linkage attaches (has two flat spots to mesh with the linkage), if it's still bound up the problem is likely in the tcase.

 

With my home built linkage I can shift it with only one finger on the lever.

[86customanche]

Progress made so far...

 

I removed the linkage and can shift from 4L to 4H, but NOT to 2wd. I also confirmed this by lifting the rear again and wheels don't rotate and I can see both drive shafts are engaged.

So the issue is within the t-case?

(BTW, 15mm)

 

Image before disconnecting linkage.

[DirtyComanche]

Seems like it's an internal issue in the tcase at that point.  Unless I'm forgetting something obvious.

 

The good news is they're easy to take apart.  The only real 'special' tool you need is a large pair of snap ring pliers, and a 1-1/8" (IIRC) socket to get the front output nut off.

[86customanche]

Seems like it's an internal issue in the tcase at that point.  Unless I'm forgetting something obvious.

 

The good news is they're easy to take apart.  The only real 'special' tool you need is a large pair of snap ring pliers, and a 1-1/8" (IIRC) socket to get the front output nut off.

Easy for you to say, I have enough trouble just crawling under the manche, thank goodness it's lifted a few inches. Fortunately my use is solely on the property to fetch firewood and check out the multiple beaver dams, so I can survive for awhile with being limited to 4wd.

Many thanks for the guidance; this group again has proven quite useful.

[Eagle]

The 231 (Command-Trac) transfer case locks the front and rear driveshafts. That's why it's not supposed to be driven on pavement in 4WD. The fact that the two driveshafts turn together is NOT a sign of a problem, it's a sign that the transfer case is in 4WD.

 

If you can scare up an assistant, jack up both rear wheels again. Have your assistant rotate a rear wheel back and forth, as far as it will go in each direction, while you try to shift into 2WD. This may relieve some internal stress and allow it to shift.

[86customanche]

Thanks, I'll give this a try, after I reattach the linkage.