Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 97 12v transfer case issues please help?

[Sicpup34]

1997 2500 12v extended cab 4x4. Today on way home I started getting a clicking/gear grinding out of at first I thought was the transmission. Pulled over and checked linkage etc and all seems fine. It was hard to put in park/Rev/drive. It just kept grinding. After a minute it went into gear and I limped it home. Went out a bit later and tried to look further into it, and on a short run, I noticed the gear shift for the transfer case seemed like it was trying to kick out of 2H. If I held it firmly forward it was sort of OK, the second I let off the throttle it would try to jump out again. Well I came to a long traffic light and it kicked out and would not go back in. I finally put the transfer case into 4L and it held. Drove it back home in low. But if I try to put it into 2H it's a no go, just a lot of grinding of the gears trying to mesh. Sorry this is long winded but wanted to give as much info as I could. Can anyone give me any ideas/advice or things to check?? Thanks,
Jim

 

[NIsaacs]

If you are stopped, the only way you can shift the t-case without grinding is if the transmission is in park. If you have the t-case in neutral and the transmission in forward or reverse the transmission can still free wheel for a bit after shifting to neutral and will cause the t-case to grind. Same for the transmission going in park, if the t-case is in neutral and you have the transmission in forward or reverse the freewheel can cause the transmission to grind going in to park. If the t-case jumps out of gear it has issues. Have you drained the oil, it might be nasty or empty.

Nick

 

[wcjp]

Also check engine and transmission mounts.

 

[Sicpup34]

Hey wcjp,
I did get to dig further into things today. The transmission mount is shot. the rubber base of it has seperated from the attaching metal bracket at the cross member. I really dont know so Im asking this.... The truck at idle wont go into reverse or drive with the transfer case in 2H or in 4H, I just tried it again. it just grinds/whines. but in 4L it will go in. can the transmission mount actually be the issue? I understand it broken, and will be getting a new one before it ever leaves the driveway again. but still trying to find the issue to not wanting to sync into revers or drive. After a bunc of reading in other threads, Ive seen alot of people talk about the snap ring at the tail of the transfer case breaking. I removed driveshaft, and removed tail piece of TC and the snap ring is fine. If there anything else that I can check going a little further in? is there a solenoid or anything that helps keep the TC gears engaged? (probably dumb questions, but I really dont know thats why Im asking)

 

[NIsaacs]

Drain your t-case, I think you will find it full of nasty stuff.

Nick