4x4 Problems

So earlier this summer I replaced the CV shafts as the boots were broken and I was not sure how long it had been in that condition. I also replaced brakes and rotors at the same time. Everything was working including 4x4.

About a couple of weeks ago, I go to put the truck in 4x4 and the light would just flash and you could hear it trying to engage. I needed to replace the clock spring so I also asked them to take a look at the 4x4 system while it was in the shop. They put it on the lift and the 4X4 engages just fine, but when its on the ground the weight of the vehicle causes something to not line up correctly.

For further diagnoses they want the master tech to look at it, but its going to cost me 2 hours of shop time ($107/hr). Also since I have an oil leak from the valve cover gasket its a mess under the engine. They are trying to tell me I have a broken engine mount on the truck that might be causing some of the problems, but they won't know for sure until after they look at it further. I didn't see any broken engine mounts when I checked and the truck was not driving funny, but perhaps I am missing something.

Any troubleshooting tips for the 4x4 or should I just get rid of this lemon and not dump any more money into it? Sooner or later I will be at the point were the more money I dump into it, I need to keep it and not sell it otherwise I will be taking a loss during the sale.

 

Do you have new tires and old tires on the vehicle ??

 

No tires are all the same age and none have abnormal wear on them, even did a tire rotation again, that didn't affect anything at all either.

 

Clean out the actuator just in case

 

Is it a PITA to remove?

 

damn how many miles are on that truck?

 

Just over 123 thousand.

 

I would know...I dont have one

 

LOL

Right now I am thinking off cutting my loses and selling the truck.

 

Front actuator sounds like the probable cause. I have been through 3. They go bad after some time.

 

You are moving while trying to shift into 4hi, right? Nudge the throttle lightly a few times too. Trying to shift while stopped will give the results you are getting, at least most of the time. If your lucky and the sliding clutch lines up, you can shift in while stopped, but its rare for that to happen.

 

Moving forward and backward while trying to shift in 4hi does nothing. Something is loose on the drivers side I can feel when I brake hard so I am thinking that whatever is loose might be causing the problems. I guess I will just have to take a good look at it.

 

Likely actuator issues. I've had it happen twice now.