Transfer case linkage stuck

Voivod · 06-20-09, 09:16 AM

Hi All,

I finally got around to fixing what I thought to be a seized transfer case HI/LO shifter. The shifter didn't want to budge from HI when I had the vehicle in PARK or NEUTRAL. Since the PO never used LO range, I figured it was the shifter, as it seems from using the search function, this can happen if LO never gets used.

Well, once I disconnected the shifter from the linkage, the shifter moved fine. I put the truck in NEUTRAL and tried to move the bar that was connected to the shifter (I assume this is called the linkage?), but no luck.

Any ideas what to check next?

Again, to try an shift to LO, I put the vehicle in PARK or NEUTRAL and try and shift, but it won't budge. The shifter moves freely when disconnected from linkage.

Any help would be appreciated!

edit: Oh yeah, it's a 1997 LX450 with 160,000 miles.

80t0ylc · 06-20-09, 07:24 PM

Try this link:
Stiff Transfer Case Lever
I remember reading this several years ago, HTH(Hope this helps) and BTW welcome to MUD!

Voivod · 06-20-09, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately the shifter is ok. I disconnected it from the linkage and the shifter moves freely.

jonheld · 06-21-09, 05:25 AM

The internals of the transfer are bathed in gear oil regardless of what gear it's in. This is of course assuming there is gear oil in the transfer case to begin with. I would look closely at the external linkage for something binding.

Voivod · 06-21-09, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonheld

The internals of the transfer are bathed in gear oil regardless of what gear it's in. This is of course assuming there is gear oil in the transfer case to begin with. I would look closely at the external linkage for something binding.

Hi, do you mean the linkage just before it enters the top of the transfer case? (I read I should really call it the center differential, not transfer case, but I digress)

I have to get me a FSM so I can see what the components are.

At least this is a problem I can live and take my time to fix, as LO range isn't that important in daily driving.

Thanks for the help

James

jonheld · 06-21-09, 06:09 PM

It's a transfer case. The center diff lives inside.

My point is that I would look very closely at linkage on the outside before you commit to tearing apart the tranfer case.