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[prophet]

Can some body enlighten me? When switching between 2wd and full time 4wd or vice versa. I have to move the lever through the part 4wd position. However, the part time 4wd doesn't seem to want to 'let go' and the axles remain locked together. After a while it will disengage, but it takes quite some time. What's the correct method from shifting between 2 and 4wd? I've been doing it on dry roads at about 20mph with gear shifter in drive and my foot off the gas.

Somebody told me to check my tyre presures, but I don't see that making much difference. The tyres on the back are half worn and the fronts are mismatched and well worn down. New tyres are on the cards when my overtime money comes in next month.

 

[JamesH]

Your tyres will make a bit of difference but try the below:

-shift straight through from 2wd to 4wd full-time in a swift, firm motion.
-do it in a straight line at less than 50mph
-blip the throttle just after the change (sometimes you'll hear the clunk)

Changing it at slower speeds, like on the driveway, try going in reverse for a few metres then forward again. Again, you might hear the clunk.

It shouldn't be driven in part-time 4wd (locked) on dry tarmac but having it stuck in for a few metres each time you shift won't immediately kill it. The more often you get it to shift, the better it should get.

[sprintagogo]

Two things that immediately stand out.

The best way to change is while in neutral and on the move. Move the selector to N briefly and pull the t-case lever through part-time and into 2wd as quickly as possible. The shifting can be done on the fly and I have done this without a problem even when travelling at motorway speeds (but I don't recommend this until you are sure it will actually shift freely!).

The 2nd issue could be your mismatched tyres as the possible speed difference between the front and rear axles could cause binding in the fraction of a second that you pass through part-time 4wd. There is not alot you can do about this other than replacing tyres and making sure they are at matching pressures(although odd tyres has a much greater effect than the different pressures unless one is visibly almost flat). Until then, keep speed low (5-10mph) when shifting from full-time to 2wd with the auto in N.

You can keep your hand on the t-case lever once it has been moved into 2wd and you might hear/feel a faint click a few seconds later as the spring loaded selector inside the case drops into place (these springs mean that unfortunately the position of the selection lever does not necessarily match the actual position of the internal selector components). Another thing that is often suggested on the US forums to improve selection is a change of the oil in the t-case. The correct oil is auto transmission fluid to Dexron III.

[Dave69]

lack of use will cause these problems  in changing 2wd and  4wd. get underneath and give the linkage  a good oiling. if the drive wont drop out of part time drop the gear into neutral to take the load off the driveline and normally the drive will change. the more you use it the easier it will be

[prophet]

I bought the car from a mate of mine and I know for sure that he's only ever used it in two wheel drive and on roads in the four years he's had it. I 'll keep working the lever and see if the mechanism frees up a bit. I'll try this on loose surfaces though, just in case it does jam in the part-time position.

The car is due for an engine oil change soon, so I'll do the t-case oil at the same time. Thanks for your help guys.

[JamesH]

Like I said above, don't be too worried about being in part-time on the road if going in a straight line for a bit. It's only if you do a lot of corners without giving the wheels a chance to skip that you'll wind the drivetrain up and cause damage.