np229 help

[bill tomlinson]

six monts ago my 89 failed to engage 4x4 for a moment...made a grinding noise then worked file since then. last week i tried to go to 4x4 while moving 30-35 mph on a wet street. big grind, no drive. pulled over and went back into 2wd ok. now, willnot engage 4x4 at all. have a date with a local 4x4 shop next week. what do you think they'll find? what should a rebuild cost?
yes, the vacuum motor, hoses and switch all seem to work. the lever on the side of the tc will not move only a fraction of a inch. turning the drive-shafts will not make it go into gear either.
please drop some hints my way. thanks

[ May 25, 2002: Message edited by: bill tomlinson ]</p>

[linskej]

An issue that seems to occur with the NP208, 228, 229 transfer cases is with the shifting fork pads. For some reason they decided to make the pads out of plastic/nylon. If worn, they will prevent you from shifting into low or high. Depending upon the big grind sound that you heard, the shifting mechanism may need to be replaced.

I would suggest having all of the bearings and seals replaced while the technician has the case opened.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I would spray the linkages with PB BLASTER or whatever type of penatrating oil you choose. More times than not the linkages are to blame. The nylon pads on the shift forks are pretty durable try to help it into gear with vise-grips work the linkages may only need and adjustment. Unless you shift the thing in and out of 4 wheel drive a couple hundred times a month I doubt the nylon pads are wore out, however if you had shifted it into 4 wheel drive the linkages would not stick, if that is your problem. Anyhow that is what I see 9 times out of 10, frozen or out of adjustment. ;)

[irbob]

Or vacuum leak. It will come out if your not holding vac. Oh how I love vacuum :mad: :mad: You say that they all seam to work. You need to vac test it to make sure it works. Get under your rig and watch the vac motor while someone moves the switch back and fourth. It should have a positive piston movement. Lub all the linkages.

Just a note on the rebuild/fork pad/cost thing. It will cost you $350.02 (may as well double that if you have someone else build it for you) for all the bearings and seals if your local stealer gives it to you at his cost like mine did. The fork pads were gone south on my 229 only because the PO installed the forks wrong. The metal to metal wear wasn't two bad. I just welded some beads on them and ground it down to where it needed to be then put new pads on'm.

Not likely to be internal but change the oil to see if there are any pieces in the bottome of your case. Good luck.

[RichCal]

Had the same problem not once, but three times. (different GW's) First time, the mechanical linkage adjustment was wrong (why, I haven't a clue). Second time, the vacuum motorhad rusted out. Third time was cracked vacuum hose.
All of them caused horrendous heart-stopping grinding noises, but I guess case-hardened gear teeth & splines can take a lot before disintegrating. I would definitely make very sure its not something external to the TC before ripping into it, not to mention your bank account.

[ May 27, 2002: Message edited by: RichCal ]</p>

[andy d]

despite the shift on the fly capabilities of the end run wags, i only shift in or out of 4wd in neutral at a stop. its a carry over from my 83 -84 wags with the vacuum disco front ends. my vote is that the linkage is bound up from lack of use and there may be a vacuum leak to boot. i use my 4wd once a week. have had no troubles yet with it on the 88. all troubles with the vacuum disco f/e s were due to vacuum leaks in the lines and tubing. good luck