TC slipping out of gear

[Mars]

So...took the truck out this weekend and there is something definately going on with my transfer case. 87' 60, basically stock with original trans/2F. 227k

The truck is new to me, and I have no record of the condition of the transmission, or the TC. The TC is slipping from 4H into 2H, basically just working itself out most any time that I coast against the gears. It looks like its holding in 4L when I'm coasting downhill, but when torque-ing up something hard, it slips out almost all together into what feels like 2L, and makes a light grinding noise coming from directly under the front seats.... Problem can be solved by a strong passenger hanging onto the knob in both cases...

There doesn't seem to be any other symptoms going on. I have a little bit of weeping coming from somewhere underneath, that I guessed was from some gasket leakage someplace, or a seal dropping some fluid. About a half dollar size drop each day. Clear honey brown color. When I've checked fluids everything seems fine.

I'm not a happy camper. Any ideas on the origin of this one? I'm really not feeling like tearing this thing apart curbside, and hoping for any easy fix. Ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Marsh

 

[soggy60]

First guess : Motor Mounts !

When engine slops around, xfer shift lever bumps floorboard (shift bracket) bumps it out of 4L

(BTDT)

 

[Mars]

Would that make it bump out of 4H into 2H as well? And does that make sense with the grinding sounds that go on when its slipping out of 2L?

Thanks

 

[landtoy80]

Mars,
I think I have the fix somewhere on my computer.
I had the same problem you have on my 87fj60.
Going up hill it would jump out unless you hold the lever.
Its not anything big, just a mod to the shift bracket on the t-case.
I will search my computer.

 

[landtoy80]

Subject: Re: T-Case Coming Out of Gear
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2001 14:34:34 -0500
From: Kurt Veloff <timber@palacenet.net>
To: landcruisers@tlca.org

I must thank who ever has same problem but had t-case rebuilt and
it wasn't the problem, it helped me solve the popping t-case.
First remove the t-case boots so you can see t-case from inside cab.
2nd remove the bracket that the shifter linkage slides on that keeps the
4low from going into 2low. See what this is leading to, it is the bracket
that is the problem. With the bracket off you can shift into any combo of
low and high range 2 and 4 wheel drive. Now move the lever while under
vehicle and turn the front drive shaft by hand, with front wheels free with
wheels chalked of course, and WHAMO you get the grinding noise.
The bracket is adjustable so that the shifter will slide on bracket. I had to make
the hole longer so that it won't let the shifter go into 2low. Some listers said
it is that the lower boot gets hard and pushes the shifter into 2low. They replace
it or remove it. With adjusting the bracket you don't have to do that. I told you it
was a simple fix and the best part was that it didn't cost $$$$$$$.
kurt

> Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2001 07:58:45 -0700 (PDT)
> From: John Day <dayja95@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re:T-Case Coming Out of Gear
>
> It is the first, the front wheels disengage and it
> makes a grinding noise. If I hold the shift lever with
> my hand it stays in OK.

 

[Pluton]

I'm confuzed...you mean the transfer case actually has a 2lo function... which is cancelled by the presence of the 'bracket'?

 

[Mars]

Sweet, I'll give it a shot. I figured that it must be something semi-simple, because the gearing holds fine when it actually engages and isn't being popped out. I'll give it a shot tonight.

Thanks!

 

[landtoy80]

I'm confuzed...you mean the transfer case actually has a 2lo function... which is cancelled by the presence of the 'bracket'?

Yes.
Remove your bracket and give it a try.

If I remember right (its been a few years) the shift lever does two things.
Forword and backwords is 2wd and 4wd.
Side to side is low and high.
As there are two shafts that go into the t-case, the t-case won't care if its in 2 or 4 low.
There might be other reasoons not to use 2 low so don't blame me if you do damage running in 2 low

I bet you cold cut or make a new bracket to shift into 2low.
But I don't know if it would stay there.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I had the same problem in mine it just would not stay in gear either 4hi or low. What fixed mine was the 2 little ball bearings and springs were worn plum out on the shifter shafts . Not sure of real name for shafts. You can get to both of them from the outside. They were under the big bolts. Look in SOR's cataloge if unsure where they are on TC.

Just my .02 cents

 

[Pluton]

Yes.
Remove your bracket and give it a try.

If I remember right (its been a few years) the shift lever does two things.
Forword and backwords is 2wd and 4wd.
Side to side is low and high.
As there are two shafts that go into the t-case, the t-case won't care if its in 2 or 4 low.
There might be other reasoons not to use 2 low so don't blame me if you do damage running in 2 low

I bet you cold cut or make a new bracket to shift into 2low.
But I don't know if it would stay there.

Thank you for the info. I'll examine the mech. next chance I have.

 

[loeky]

just found this thread and wanted to revive it as i'm having the same problems as you others. posted about it separately [oops] but would like to know your results Pluton.

krzyabncanuck, can you explain a little more which bearings? i took a look at sor, but couldn't see what you mention.

 

[RoddQLD]

M9ne does the same thing but only in 4WD low (slips into 2wd low). In my case I dont have the problem with it slipping out of 4WD high into 2WD high, so my detents may be ok. Since I don't have much of a reason to use 4WD high I will look into correcting the shift bracket location.

 

[Pluton]

just found this thread and wanted to revive it as i'm having the same problems as you others. posted about it separately [oops] but would like to know your results Pluton.

krzyabncanuck, can you explain a little more which bearings? i took a look at sor, but couldn't see what you mention.

Loeky: Short story: 87 FJ 60, new to me, 114K miles, slips quietly out of 4H, and noisily out of 4L(sort of a grinding, partially engaged-gear kind of noise.) Ask local very experienced LC mech: What gives? He tells me to cut, slash, or even just remove the lower transfer boot. So, I do. I have since driven several hundred miles in 4wd H and a few in 4L and it's never slipped out . Mostly dirt roads out in the desert, no extreme angle, twist-the-frame type stuff. I still INTEND to examine the mech on top of the transfer SOMEDAY, but I've been busy with other projects. What happened with yours?

 

[Mars]

Mine's still limping around, other projects have kept me from tearing this one down. I think this is the SOR diagram.... What exactly do you think is failing? I haven't torn mine out to take a look.

 

[Mars]

And more....here's the link.

http://www.sor.com/sor/cat062.tam?xax=11417&page.ctx=cat062.tam

 

[RoddQLD]

Neither of those drawings!
You need to see drawings of the transfer case lever and it's attached linkages connecting to the transfer case. Also on the transfer case (just beside the front driveshaft flange) is the selector between 4WD and 2WD. The shaft that goes into the transfer case has the detent ball/spring (that locates the shaft in either 4WD or 2WD), access to this is from the side of the transfer case.

 

[RoddQLD]

Transfer lever parts, etc

Location of detents (well one of these anyway!)

 

[cahilc]

Had the same problem.

Worn shift lever springs in the transfer case.

There are two bolts plugs in the transfer case I believe on the side. They control the pressure to hold the transfer case in the selected gear. The inner springs are worn. Probably better to replace the springs and ball bearings. Is possible to shim it with washers.

Fixed it with 6 washers, 3 per plug. Basically just remove the plug added the washers and problem was gone.

Here's the spring part:

http://www.sor.com/sor/products2.tam?xax=15116&category.ctx=074-43&page#.ctx=074

Ball busting price of $1.79 each.


There's two springs, two ball bearings, and two plugs.

Cheers,
Cahil

 

[cahilc]

Yeah, Rodd's got it.

Those two plugs. Replace the springs inside. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction start shimming with washers.

I shimmed mine with 3 washers each. (small washers on the inside next to the spring)



Cahil

 

[RoddQLD]

This might sound a bit 'shonky' but I wonder if you could get away with stretching the springs?