Transfer Case slips into neutral

[frank1]

I was transporting my M59 Kubota tractor / loader (approx. 8500 pounds) with my dually six speed 3500, when my transfer case went into neutral while going down a steep incline!!! Could not shift the floor lever back into 2wd (grinding), had to get to bottom of hill, pull over, come to full stop and shift into 2wd. Not a fun experience especially when you can't down shift to help slow you down, only service brakes (unfortunately no exhaust brake either!). During the course of the day this happened about five times, on flat roadways also. The lever " feels" slopy, very easy to shift in and out of 2wd and 4wd. I'am I looking at a new transfer case? Or hopefully, some adjustments to the linkage? Got home way after dark to investigate problem, plus had to go change my under pants ( going down hill episode!!!). This has never happened before, I've towed this tractor at least one hundred times this year without any problems!!! Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Frank

 

[Wingate]

Im sure someone more knowledgable will chime in but it seems as though that starts to happen when the shift forks get excessive wear or one of the fingers break off. .

How many miles are on the truck? Do you use the 4wd often?

 

[frank1]

Only 46,000 miles. Use 4wd when driving through wet fields. We had a lot of snow this past January and one storm in particular all of my trucks where out for 32 hours straight (plowing). My other three trucks are automatics and they seem to be fine. All have the floor shifter and one truck has 125,000 miles and not one problem with the transfer case. Are the transfer cases the same in automatics as in manuals (2003 model year)???

 

[RCorbeil]

Check for damaged plunger or broken spring in the plunger.



Ron

 

[jhenderson]

I vote for worn fork in the case. I think they still come with nylon sleeves over the fork ends. After the nylon wears off, the forks wear very rapidly.

 

[frank1]

Was driving truck yesterday without trailer and truck unloaded, and it slipped back out into neutral several times within 30 miles of driving. Parked truck, will crawl underneath this weekend and check linkage (hopefully that's the problem and not internal!). Thanks for all your help.

 

[frank1]

Update as of yesterday - Had a rebuilt Jasper transfercase installed, w/ 18 month/ 100,000 mile parts and labor warranty. Transmission shop needed atleast two weeks to tear apart old transfercase. Need the truck for plowing and salting, so opted for rebuilt unit. Now only if it would snow! It would help pay the cost of transfercase ($1,800. 00, installed).