Atlas II likes to disengage the front axle (pops out).

[deminimis]

Anyone else have this issue? When I engage my front axle, the Atlass II transfer case want to pop out the shifter/linkage back into 2WD. I can hold the shifter back and keep it engaged, but within a minute of letting go, it pops out. Really doesn't seem like a linkage adjustment issue. Toughts?

[jage]

Are you sure you're shifting all the way?

Does it happen under stress (eg. engine/driveline torque flopping the t-case around)?

Are your (can't resist) balls touching? If there is no space when engaged it might not be fully engaged or be popping out.

Also:

[deminimis]

Its going back as far the the rear axle shifter and I can't make it go any further (throttle off and on). Pops out under regular load and/or when coming off the throttle. Balls, well I'll have you know..... Actually, what balls are you referring to? Shifter balls?

[BroncoHauler]

From Advanced Adapters. Not sure if it applies to you or not.

"The Atlas transfer case has under gone some shifter fork changes since its inception. The first shift forks used in the Atlas were equipped with non heat treated material. These shift forks had a tendency to bend after a period of time. Since the bent shift fork would not allow the shifter slider to fully engage the drive cogs of the gear, this would allow the transfer case to pop out of gear We changed the shift fork material on cases numbered 81 & up to a special heat treated alloy. This shift fork proved to be the fix for the early style Atlas shift fork."

Link: http://www.atlas-tc.com/instructions/shiftfork.pdf


Herb

[deminimis]

Thanks Herb. guess I've got to crawl back under there to get a number and see if I've got the good forks or not.

Thanks again!

[BroncoHauler]

You're welcome. May the fork be with you.


herb

[deminimis]

I noticed that new and improved fork discussion/release, was back in '01. Since I'm a '03/'04 conversion, I'm hoping I've got the good forks. Looks like a pain to fix (especially with a seperated shoulder...yea, dirt bike). Thanks.

[deminimis]

Mine is too new to have the old forks. However, under the light of day, I crawled under to have a better look around. Noticed when the front axle was engaged, the shifter was very close to the floor/body. Not touching, but not any room to spare. Decided that body flex might cause the floor to make contact with the shifter and pop it into the neutral position. Things were a little bound up too. Adjusted everything and viola! Shifts much easier and no popping out. Cost: $0. Now that's what I'm talking about.

[jage]

It's a lesson I never manage to learn- look at stuff first.

When I bought my Jeep Atlas it was because I had some bad vibrations from a new lift- when I went under to install it, I glanced at the rear springs. They were totally twisted into a S shape after only one trip, clearly ruined and the cause of the problem.

[kzemach]

Interesting fix. I'll have to get my butt under the van and check that. My front pops out of low when engine braking downhill only on VERY steep hills. Otherwise (e.g. uphill), it works fine. Irritating, but we don't do much rock crawling so I haven't cared too much to date.