4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4wd quit working

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Expert: - 11/3/2004


Question
Hi Carl:

I have a 1995 K2500 4wd Chevy Suburban.  This past spring the 4wd quit working - it will not engage.  The shift for the transfer case is on the floor and when I put it into 4wd, it feels like the transfer case engages, but the power does not transfer to the front wheels.  Any idea why this would be happening.

Thanks - DH

Answer
Darrell,

Without seeing the vehicle in person, all I can do, is to give you some suggestions.  It sounds like you may have a hub problem.  If one of your front hubs (automatic, or manual) is hung up or broken, then the front end will not work.  One way to check this, is to put the vehicle in 4 wheel drive then have someone look under the vehicle while you drive it slowly, and see if the front drive line is turning.  This is a quick way to check the transfer case.  If the drive line is turning, then the only other components driving the front end, are the front differential, axles, and hubs.  The front drive line should not turn in 2 wheel drive, unless you have full time 4 wheel drive.  Hubs are not real difficult to repair, if you are mechanically inclined.

If you want to try to trace out, and repair the problem yourself, I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual.  A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for, around $20.  They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, or maintenance yourself.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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