Transfer case. Help?

[Guest]

Well, went out to Calico today with a group. After driving around the jeep just didn't feel like she was in 4x4. I stopped and checked and played around to see. Nope! So, Put it into 4hi and 4lo and started to drive. Heard a very concerning noice! A grind type of noise (after it was already in 4lo or 4hi and trying to drive). Not good. Couldn't get it into 4x4! WTF? After driving around and around trying without luck. Aaron and I headed back to camp without the others. On the way back. It worked! Then the group meet up. I have put it back into 2hi. So, time to see if it wil go back into 4hi? Nope! More grinding (after it's already in 4hi or 4lo and trying to drive). It will move easy back and fourth. So, 2hi and "N" work fine in the transfer case. But, no 4hi or 4lo. Decided it was late and dark we went home. On the way home, we stopped for a bite to eat. Then, headed home. I went to pull it into the driveway and I tried 4lo. Guess what? It worked! WTF? Is it going out or?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[4rheel]

played some games with mine today too. not sure wtf is going on!!!!
Rich.

[Guest]

High desert air or what? lol

[inVERt'D]

Funny both of you have YJs... are you sure it was the transfer case grinding? Are you both still running vacuum disconnects? They can be problematic. If the noise is coming from the t-case and it were mine, I'd drop it and break it open, check for bent shift forks, stretched chain, metal in the oil, etc.

[Guest]

Vacuum disconnects are removed. I have single axle(s) up front.

[inVERt'D]

when was the last time you changed your fluid? did you use spec fluid?

[Guest]

I have never done in the 1yr I have had it I have put about 4,000 miles on it.

[inVERt'D]

Before we assume there's something wrong with it...
Did it sound like the kind of grinding when the t-case isn't fully engaged? Kind of a rhythmic b-r-r-r-r-r-r? When you were having problems shifting did you try different things like putting the t-case and tranny in neutral and rolling a little? Any kind of transfer case is likely to be difficult to shift under torque. Sometimes you need to relax your drive train a little to get it in gear properly.

Ok, so if you're sure that the above scenario doesn't apply, before you go tearing your Jeep apart, check your t-case shift linkage--make sure it's working right, not bent or sloppy or otherwise screwed up. Having someone shift it back and forth while you watch the linkage would be good. Drain the fluid and note what it looks like--color, grit, smell, taste jk. The drain plug is magnetic and likely has at least some small dust-fine sand size particles on it. If there are any bigger chips or chunks, plan on dropping it. At the very least you will want to change the fluid, since you don't know how long it has gone without changing.

[Guest]

Before we assume there's something wrong with it...
Did it sound like the kind of grinding when the t-case isn't fully engaged? Kind of a rhythmic b-r-r-r-r-r-r? When you were having problems shifting did you try different things like putting the t-case and tranny in neutral and rolling a little? Any kind of transfer case is likely to be difficult to shift under torque. Sometimes you need to relax your drive train a little to get it in gear properly.

Ok, so if you're sure that the above scenario doesn't apply, before you go tearing your Jeep apart, check your t-case shift linkage--make sure it's working right, not bent or sloppy or otherwise screwed up. Having someone shift it back and forth while you watch the linkage would be good. Drain the fluid and note what it looks like--color, grit, smell, taste jk. The drain plug is magnetic and likely has at least some small dust-fine sand size particles on it. If there are any bigger chips or chunks, plan on dropping it. At the very least you will want to change the fluid, since you don't know how long it has gone without changing.

Like when someone grinds the gears in a 5spd and didn't catch the gear. Just like that. Linkage?

haha! Taste like....

Fair enough. Thanks David!!!

[Dezertdog]

I agree with Inverted. Check the linkage. You have that body lift on and that can screw with the linkage working properly.

Scott

[Guest]

I agree with Inverted. Check the linkage. You have that body lift on and that can screw with the linkage working properly.

Scott

Thanks Scott. I looked and another did too and it looked ok to me at least. Ken said to take it by he would give it a once over.

[Matt2001TJ]

I agree with Inverted. Check the linkage. You have that body lift on and that can screw with the linkage working properly.

Scott

Correct. Pull the T/C shifter all the way back after you get it into 4 low of course and then make the needed adjustment at the linkage rod. The need to re-adjust this is typical after a body lift.

[inVERt'D]

I agree with those two. Based on the sound you describe and the fact that you have a body lift, my money is on the linkage. Curious--was this your first time wheeling with the body lift?

[Guest]

No. I have went out a few times before with the body lift.

But, it failed because...No oil in there :mad: and chain has 1/2" slack Ken said.

[inVERt'D]

Bummer, Ron--when I heard of the body lift, I got my hopes up for your linkage. What are your plans now?