Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1998 Transfer Case -- broken?

[Mike129]

Hi, guys.



This morning I went to pull the truck (1998, 12V, 4x4, auto, extended cab) out of the garage. The transfer case was set in 4WD due to ice and snow from the night before, but I shifted it back into 2WD before engaging the transmission. The truck started backing out, but stopped after just a few feet. It seemed like the transfer case was in neutral, so I attempted shifting into both 2WD and 4WD without luck. I tried again and a horrible grinding noise resulted (perhaps from the front axle, I am not sure). After trying various positions on the transmission and transfer case (hitting that grinding noise on occasion), I turn the truck on and off a couple of times. After about 15 minutes of futzing, I got the truck to drive forward back into its parking spot where it remains.



Any idea what is wrong and how I might address it?



Thanks!!

--Mike

 

[PRattenbury]

You might want to just check the linkage and make sure it's okay. Cheap stuff first, I always say (sometimes).

 

[Mike129]

Thanks.

I don't see an obvious linkage problem, but I will look again when I have better light.

 

[kentdiesel]

If your pretty sure the problem is in the transfer case and your truck has the 241LDL transfer case you may want to pull the 4 bolt tail housing off and check to see if the mainshaft snap ring has broke or jumped out of the groove. In the 241LDL a broke snap ring can cause major problems.

 

[Mike129]

Thanks, Kent!

I will check.

 

[kentdiesel]

This web site has some pics and some info on the 241LDL . Took me alittle while to find it. Its been several years since I put this transfer case saver in mine.



Transfer case saver, don't leave home without it, DIY and save money!

 

[Troutman]

You may have also just got stuck in neutral. And that was the grinding noise when it was trying to shift back into 2 or 4 wheel drive. Have you tried driving it since this happened?

 

[Loren]

I have always had trouble shifting my 1995 automatic into and out of 4WD low range. I have the problem that Troutman mentioned. If you don't shift fast enough and the transfer case is in neutral with the transmisson in gear, the transfer case gears will spin up and then they will grind if you try to engage the transfer case.



My solution is to stop, shut off the engine, put the transmission in neutral, and select whatever position I want on the transfer case. This has always worked. It may take a few seconds after engine shut down before you can engage the transfer case without grinding.



I hope it's something simple like this. Good luck.

Loren

 

[Mike129]

UPDATE: I have not had much time to put into this due to working a zillion hours a day and still requiring some amount of food transfer (in and out) and sleep. But I was able to work around my problem for the moment.

I didn't see an obvious problem on cursory visual inspection. When I tried to move the truck again, I realized something didn't feel right shifting the transfer case into 2WD. It turns out I was shifting past 2WD into no man's land. That was causing the grinding and lack of go. With the truck in park and careful selection of 2WD, I was able to drive the truck. I can even shift between 4WD and 2WD if I am very careful.

So, next question: Am I doing any harm driving it this way? (If I am careful, everything sounds and feels normal. )

Thanks so much for your assistance, guys. I apologize for not being able to do more hands-on work with it yet. Life is just a bit out of control.

--Mike