2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front axle disconnect

[DKuykendall]

on my 97 4x4 2500 the front axle engage(central axle disconnect) is inconsistent in high range. It seems to lock up right away in low range. I have recently replaced the clutch,but did not need to adjust any linkage. Has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone tried the cable control that is available? This would also enable me to back a trailer in low range without binding.

 

[Steve Campbell]

On mine....

I have found that I need to get the rig in a "free-wheeling" mode for the disconnect to engage or disengage. The times when I find it not working right away for engagement are when I am spinning (I try not to engage then as it will "hurt" the collar) or turning. For disengagement purposes, turning or having power applied keeps mine engaged.



I hope that is the only problem you are having, the other kind sounds like dollars.

 

[illflem]

I've always had to let up on the accelerator to get mine to engage/disengage

 

[Kirwin]

Central Axle Disconnect (CAD)

Did this problem just start with the clutch replacement? The vacuum hoses that control the CAD are routed via tubing and hoses to the top of the transfer case and up the inside of the right side frame rail. Some places just bend them out of the way to remove the transmission support cross member. This can result in kinking of the metal lines which can result in slow or no front axle engagement. You might want to check the hose routing also as it is easy to pinch the tubing while trying to install the transmission. Any restriction or cut that results in leakage will also cause the symptoms that you descried. Hope this helps. Ken Irwin

 

[Steve Campbell]

Kirwin

Good point. I remember disconnecting and then reconnecting those exact hoses during a clutch change and totally missed reading that part of Dkuykendall's post.

 

[DKuykendall]

cad

I do only shift during a no load situation. . The vacuum lines all seem to be fine. When shifting to low range it seems to engage right away. The 4wd dash light comes on right away but the front axle doesn't drive. When putting it in low range and then back to high it seems to stay engaged. A prior cherokee I owned with the same basic system didn't light the dash light until the collar was engaged.

 

[Jeff Knight]

When I got my 02 truck and found out it didn't have the cad system it bothered me. With using the 4x4 mode now its in 4x4 immediately. I don't miss it at all. Jeff

 

[Kirwin]

CAD

The few times I have had problems with the CAD system have all been problems with the other components other than the CAD itself. The switch that gives you the light in the dash is just a pin style switch the makes contact with the shift fork in the CAD when the collar reaches full travel. These sometimes go bad or the shift collar gets lazy or slightly corroded and doesn't push in the plunger on the switch quite far enough to turn on the light. Also the vacuum switch on top of the transfer case can stick. If it does the vehicle may not go into 4WD since the CAD never gets told to reposition. This can also cause the front axle to remain engaged when the transfer case lever is in 2 HI. I bought a Ramcharger once and couldn't find out why I couldn't get the dash light to indicate 4WD. So I pulled the dash apart (major pain) only to find the the bulb for the dash light had been removed by someone. Put in a bulb and I was in 4WD all the time. The dealer ended up replacing the front driveshaft since it had worn out the slip joint due to being driven all the time. Moral of the story is the light on the dash can be misleading. Grab the front axle to verify the it turns freely when the dash light is out to verify that the CAD is unlocked. Sometimes moving the transfer case lever all the way to 4LO may get the transfer case vacuum switch to move when it didn't when you shifted to 4HI. They spend so much of their time in 2HI which has the ball depressed into the body of the valve. Then you shift to 4HI and the spring has to force the ball out to lock the CAD. Sometimes it needs to be exercised!!! Hope this helps. Ken Irwin

 

[DKuykendall]

I believe you have said it best Kirwin. Snow has hit and it is easy to tell when you are in 4wd. It has been working better but I haven't been able to find a problem. That still leaves the question, has anyone tried the 4x4 posi-lock cable system? thank you all for your input.