dana 44 front 229 transfer case ?s

[VSroller]

ok, here goes.

Been under the jeep and found a few things I need to ask about.

front axle and 229 both vacuum motor units.

The 229 transfer seems to be 'stuck' in 2wd. This is ok, at least I can drive it. However, how does one get it unstuck when I decide I am ready to get the 4wd working again?

Front axle, would it be better to look for and rebuild a non-vacuum motor dana 44 front end or try to jury-rig this one. Again, when the time comes. I cannot find a good way to test the axle vac motor. I finally got the transfer vac motor out and checked. It is very slow and weak. The rubber connector at the vac motor is damaged, might have been part of the issue to begin with, but it is stuck in 2wd

thoughts and questions welcome. I am in no hurry for 4wd, probably next spring I will start looking for a replacement axle. The transfer case has me the most concerned at the moment.

[jeeping1974]

I never liked the shift fork/vac-actuated front axles. I say ditch the front axle for a non-actuated axle w/drive flanges and swap out the t-case for a NP208. Simple, strong and reliable.

[joe]

Odds are good one of the vac hoses is rotted/leaking keeping your system from shifting. The vac motors can go bad from internal corrosion from lack of use but carefully look at all your vac lines first including the one from the vac reservoir to the dash switch and the reservoir itself for leaks. The vac front axle is actually pretty reiaible if shifted at least monthly or so. Yeah inconvenient system because no shift on the fly to 4wd but as mentioned above best way to eliminate it at all is an 80-82 or 85 and later Wag/NT Chero front axle and a 208 swap.

[VSroller]

I have tested all the lines I can reach. It seems that 1 or 2 lines (the aluminum ones) running from the front to the transfer case are leaking. I will be plugging the 3 connectors at the transfer case today and testing again. The dash lines and switch are showing a slight leak. The harness that attaches to the vac motor at the transfer case is not leaking, other than the rubber fitting. I will get a picture of it up today. I will need to repair or replace this connector.

[VSroller]

80-82 or 85 and later Wag/NT Chero front axle and a 208 swap.

ok I know wag = wagoneer and chero = cherokee, what is wag/NT?

[grandwag89]

ok I know wag = wagoneer and chero = cherokee, what is wag/NT?
It's not Wag/NT, it's NT Chero, which is a narrow track Cherokee

[joe]

ok I know wag = wagoneer and chero = cherokee, what is wag/NT?NT refers to narrow track Cherokee which is the same axle width as a Wagoneer. The WT(widetrack) Cherokees are well wider. Chero axles came in 2 widths, Wags only in one(narrow).

[VSroller]

rubber connector pic

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww191/Bladderman3/other%20stuff/Jeep/IMG_4025.jpg

[VSroller]

narrow track ... ok, new guy still /blush :eek:

[joe]

[QUOTE=VSroller]rubber connector pic

Besides the crack they appear a bit short.

[VSroller]

I have gone through all the vac lines in the engine compartment, replaced as needed and re terminated as needed. There were quite a few leaks. I think I have all of those done now ... I hope I do anyways lol

Is there an easy way to test the front axle vacuum motor? I could not see where the rubber lines (in good shape) that go from the aluminum ones to the actual motor on the axle could be disconnected.

maybe jack the front end up and roll the tires while pulling a vac on the lines to engage? I do have the oem service and parts books. They are pretty decent to look through, have been very helpful so far. But not to much in the way of this type of 'shade-tree' testing. If I had a lift and shop I would be totally setup :rolleyes:

[VSroller]

[quote=VSroller]rubber connector pic

Besides the crack they appear a bit short.
I did not push it all the way on the nipples. It fits all the way down, nice and tight.

[VSroller]

both line-in connections are torn like that. I did one pulling it apart (my fault), the other was pretty much that way on the jeep. I need to find a replacement, might just have to use some short vac tubing and make it work. I have not found anything oem looking, is there some where that type of part could be found?

I guess i could just bypass the alum lines and fab up a new set. Figured I would wait and see what recommendations would come from you guys :) before getting to worried about it.

[joe]

Just by the correct ID hose sold by the foot in bulk at any parts house and go directly to the metal nipples.

[VSroller]

mostly good news ...

the rear is on jack-stands and my son and I were able to test the transfer case and it seems to work, yeah!

The mount for the vac lines on the tranny was messed up and the lines were loose. Pulled them off the mount and plugged and tested vac, some leakage in 4wd but it held steady in 2wd ... still working on this, next step will be to check each of the 3 lines going back.

I am pretty sure the rear end is a single track, I was hopping it was a posi.

The actuator on the front end held vac in all 3 lines, it might still work. I will be testing it next to see if I can get the front end to lock in. Need to barrow a set of HD jack stands. I only have 1 set.

I will go ahead and pick up a new vac motor for the xfer case.

I do still have a question ... when we were turning the rear wheel to get the xfer to engage, I heard a harmonic type whine. Does that sound familiar to anyone? It was not a loud noise, but very noticeable under the xfer case where I was laying working the 2wd/4wd lever. It could have been any thing from rear end to tranny, thought I would ask.

also, when we first started running the xfer in 4wd the front drive shaft turned, once I heard the whine, the front drive shaft was not turning and only slightly moved or not at all.

the test we did was to turn the rear wheel and engage the 2wd/4wd shift lever. I doubt this is a great way to test it but it seemed to work this time.