Shifting into four wheel drive

[flyfisher]

I have a 2005 SMB with about 50k miles on it. Never had any trouble shifting the Atlas TC into 4 WD before, but for whatever reason, I just can't get it into 4 WD high, or low now. It just won't budge. I've tried easing up on the gas (diesel) pedal, sorry, trying to move the lever just as I ease off the pedal, and it doesn't work. It used to be smooth and easy...any ideas?

thanks...

Tom

[BroncoHauler]

Try shifting into reverse too, and moving backwards at very low speed.

Either that, or your shift linkage is getting hung up on something.


Herb

[daveb]

I'm sure you remember that it will only go the way the tranfer case is set...you know, low range to four low (forward) and high range to four high (pulling back). So you can't even shift at speed into high 4x4?

Maybe somethings is caught up in the linkage?

[Ford_6L_E350]

Any chance the hubs are locked? That could make shifting into a non-sychronized gear difficult.

Mike

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

Any chance the hubs are locked? That could make shifting into a non-sychronized gear difficult.

Mike

It might but I do it on a regular basis. I've never had a problem going into high as long as the vehicle is moving. Sometimes low can be more difficult but as long as I'm moving slowly, all I have to do is let up on the throttle and it drops right in. I have more trouble going into low range.

Seems strange the shifter won't budge.

[Tapatio]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Either that, or your shift linkage is getting hung up on something.
Herb

I had the opposite problem recently. The retaining clip on my rear link came off. SMB sent me some new clips and I was able to fix it in a few minutes. Here's some pictures for reference.

Rear linkage


Front linkage

[flyfisher]

Thanks all, I'm going to crawl under The Van this weekend and see if anything looks odd. I'm not that clever when it comes to repairs, but maybe something will jump out at me. It's just strange that the lever's won't budge when I try to shift into 4 WD high. And they used to just sort of very smoothly drop into gear.

Tom

[flyfisher]

So I've been at a loss as to figure out why I can't get into four wheel drive, while The Van is moving. The other day, parked, I reached down and moved the lever for the front axle into four wheel drive high, just sort of fell into place, slick as deer guts on the door knob.

For the past 7 years that I've owned The Van, I was under the impression I had to be moving to engage four wheel drive, and many times I WAS moving when I shifted into four wheel drive. I think the Atlas TC instruction manual even says the vehicle should be moving.

I can't shift into four wheel drive while moving now, but I can while I'm standing still. Sort of like my 1992 Isuzu Trooper, I HAVE to be stopped to shift into four wheel drive. It just means I just have to plan ahead to keep from getting stuck.

Anyone else out there with the same experience?

thanks...

Tom

[jage]

Sometimes, yes, sometimes no. This past trip I had for the first time a situation where I couldn't get into either gear (4wd N) for the longest time. Generally the more you shift the easier it gets, and it takes the gears lining up- sometimes being stopped in N is the ticket, sometimes rolling in gear, rolling in N, backing up with a slight turn... but hey, if stopping works, stopping works.

[daveb]

As posted, shifting into high at most any speed has not been an issue. Yeah I have to let it syncronize a bit to fall in and I might have to let up on the throttle, but it usually drops in. Low range is a different beast. Wheel position (how the front wheels are turned) is huge and has to be right as well as speed; generally low speed which is required. But there have been times where I had to shift between forward and reverse to get her to go. It seems to shift just like the large class A trucks I deal with at work.