Grinding maybe stuck in 4X4?

Tiny
JAMES CRANE IV
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE RAM
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above 1500. When I take the front drive shaft out I have no problems but when it's in it locks up when turning and on acceleration from a complete stop. I just had the front drive shaft rebuilt. It is not the driveshaft causing the issue.

My truck has the bypass for the 4x4 it does not use the actuator.
Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 AT 4:51 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If the steering locks up or fights you when turning on a dry surface, you are in 4wd. What do you mean by bypass? Is it a manually shifted 4wd on the floor? If it is, the shift rod is adjustable and likely has slipped.

Take a look below. Check to make sure nothing is loose or damaged. Then, place the shift lever in 2 hi. From under the vehicle, shift the transfer case into 2 hi and tighten the adjuster screw. See if that makes a difference. If you have something different, let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
JAMES CRANE IV
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I went to try this today but the bolt on the trunnion is sheared off so it's turned into a bigger job. This all started happening after I hit a mound of gravel my township left in the middle of the road without cones on it while I was in 2h. I was driving back and forth in my driveway shifting the transfer case to 2h back to 4h and nothing was happening. While I was moving I pulled out onto the road and did a U-turn very slowly in the intersection (I'm way out in the country) and it was hopping and bucking as if it was stuck in 4h. So, I'm thinking I've lost 2h. It works perfectly fine without the front drive shaft in. I don't have any funny noises or anything, nothing seems broken I'm just stuck in 4h now. I can shift down to 4L it works forward and backwards no noises (didn't try turning for obvious reasons). So, my conclusion is I've somehow lost 2h after hitting that mound.
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Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If you hit something and the bolt is sheared off, chances are the adjustment is off far enough to not allow 2wd to be selected. Unless you see damage to the transfer case, I don't feel it was internally damaged.

When you remove the driveshaft, it eliminates the issue with the steering because there is no resistance from the transfer case.

I would at least try removing the rod and see if you can gain 2wd. You don't want to constantly drive in 4 high.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
JAMES CRANE IV
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay. So, I drilled it out today and tried to adjust it, she's seized in there so I just grabbed the shift lever myself from underneath and put it into 2h myself that did nothing so I just put everything back together. When my wife shifts the transfer case from in the cab and I'm underneath it all looks and sounds fine, but it's still stuck in 4h.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
JAMES CRANE IV
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
So, I've got 4low and 4hi but I don't have 2h. I'm at a loss I made sure it was in 2h on the transfer case. It works perfectly fine at highway speeds without the front drive shaft so what do you think could be causing it not to want to go back to 2h.

What I mean by the bypass is I'm pretty sure the last owner told me he did an actuator bypass that locks both the front axles together all the time so there's no need to use the vacuum lines.

I've never had any issues until I hit this mound of dirt.
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not familiar with what he would have done. However, based on what you mentioned, it sounds like he bypassed 2 hi. (Which really doesn't make sense to me). I can't imagine what he would have done other than install a different transfer case.

So, if I understand, you had the shift lever removed and still were not able to manually shift it to 2wd at the shift lever. Is that correct?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
JAMES CRANE IV
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I've decided just to go through insurance at this point since i hit something on the road and it's starting to cost too much for me to pay out of pocket, i will update you with what was wrong with it.

to explain the bypass, you open the actuator and there's a fork in there that locks the hubs together if you swap the snap ring from right to left it keeps the hubs always locked and then when you shift with the transfer case 2h and 4h are instant without the need for the vacuum lines to actuate the forks anymore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtJQQw6Sy-Y&t=705s&ab_channel=DirtyDiamondDiesel

Here's a video on it if you'd like to learn how it's done.
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Saturday, November 4th, 2023 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

That's interesting. As far as having it covered, I think that is a good idea. I feel bad that I'm not of more use, but this setup is new to me.

Let me know what you find out. I'm interested in knowing.

Joe
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Saturday, November 4th, 2023 AT 8:12 PM

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