1997 with 4WD issues...

I have a 1997 3.4 4WD with MT and J shift transfer case (no push button). Transfer case engages fine and will go into 4H and 4L no problem. I can feel the gears in the transfer case working. The truck runs like crap though with the 4WD engaged it pulls really hard to the right like one of the hubs is not engaged. The 4WD indicator light comes on sometimes and sometimes it doesn't come on at all and it will sometimes take several tries to get the front axle to disengaged. Putting the truck in reverse and backing up a little bit seems to disengage it easily. Then there are other times that it disengages just fine. I looked through some of the 4WD threads on here and didn't see anything similar to this issue. It seems like the front axle is not engaging fully. I took the skid plates off and checked the vacuum lines everything seems to be attached as it should. I tapped on the actuator with a hammer several times and that didn't seem to do anything. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

OP,
I also have a '97 V6 MT with J shift Taco but mine has Aisin manual locking hubs. I experienced the same problem a few years back. One of the hubs was not engaging consistently. All I had to do was disassemble/clean/grease/reassembly the inner mechanism of my locking hub. If your ADD actuator is working properly, you may have something similar going on. Good luck with your problem!

 

Is this a new to you Truck? This problem just started?

Sometimes from lack of use the things seize up the part that slides into the left cv axle to engage things.

Support the front end on jack stands with Add engaged both cv axles and the front drive shaft should turn.

With the case in 4High and no light see if the left cv axle turns.

You can check the Vacuum switching valves electrical connections and coils with a meter.

It seems normal Sometimes after shifting the case to 2wd my 4x4 light takes some time to disengage as well

 

Thanks for the info Leid I'll look into that. The truck is fairly new to me I bought it as a project. Its not my daily driver and it wasn't being used much by the guy I bought it from so some sticky or seized parts wouldn't be a shock. I'll get it up on jack stands and see what happens. Thanks for the info I appreciate it.

 

Ok I got the truck up on jack stands front and rear. The 4WD seems to work fine the right front spun the most and every once in awhile the left would spin too. The shift lever disengages the 4WD fine. So what would cause the truck to pull and drive terribly at speed on the road in 4WD? I did notice the driver side front tire is very worn on the inside. Bad CV joint? Ball joint?

 

If you chock the wheel that does spin so it doesn’t spin, does the other one spin freely?


If you put it in 4 and neutral, then spin the unchecked wheel by hand, how does it feel?

 

Yes if I chock the right wheel the left spins just fine. I put it in 4N and both tires spin by hand but the drivers side seems to have a lot more resistance.

 

Here is a pic of the left front tire. Its worn badly on the inside. All 4 tires are the same size and brand and all have the right air pressures. When I put he transfer case in 4H and spin the front wheels the whole assembly moves the so it doesn't seem to be an issue with the 4WD. The left wheel seems to have more resistance. I don't think its an alignment issue as it drives fine in 2WD no shakes shimmy's or drifting off of center and the right front tire has no wear issues.

 

Well…with the tiny glimpse I can see of that rusty LCA, I am wondering what front end bushings have been replaced, if any? Also can’t tell if it’s the shadow or if your lower shock bushing is collapsing also (shock looks suspiciously original too, on a 1997). I would want to get to the bottom of that awful uneven tire wear. Front end shakedown time!!

 

Yeah front end work is on the list for sure. I think almost all of the front end parts are original. The truck only has 103,000 miles on it. It needed a lot of work to fix the rear half of the frame which turned out pretty good.

 

Any time you drive on a hard surface in 4wd your going to get Torque Bind !

Do enough things start to break.