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difficult shifting out of 4hi and 4lo

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by doctorchopper, Dec 23, 2013.

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  1. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Hey doctorchopper, how far did you go in 4wd? Did the drive train feel like it had a hard time moving? Or did it move or roll freely, just difficult to get out of 4wd?
     
    Glenn, Dec 28, 2013
    #21
  2. roschmbo

    roschmbo New Member

    You could eliminate binding as a possibility by jacking up one wheel and trying to shift it. If you have open differentials this will remove the load on the transfer case. Make sure the transmission is in neutral. If it is still hard to shift, look elsewhere.
     
    roschmbo, Dec 28, 2013
    #22
  3. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Removing the front drive shaft would remove any question about the front axle assy.
     
    Walt Couch, Jan 6, 2014
    #23
  4. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Just a thought, do you have any signs of driveline binding in 4WD, as if there was a different gear ration in the F & R differentials? The stock ratios were far enough apart that you'd definitely feel it bind, and it could explain the hard shifting only when in 4WD. If you removed the drive flanges and got an immediate difference that could be your culprit.

    *EDIT*

    Walt's suggestion about the drive shaft would accomplish the same thing. :oops:
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2014
    w3srl, Jan 6, 2014
    #24
  5. doctorchopper

    doctorchopper New Member

    I thought of this as well, it seemed to drive ok, but didn't really put too many miles on it. I want to change the diff oil so that will be a good opportunity to check gear ratios. Haven't had a chance to check anything else as i'm back on shift, finished up on thursday so hopefully this weekend or next week I'll get a chance to work on it
     
    doctorchopper, Jan 7, 2014
    #25
  6. zila

    zila I throw poop

    My 75 CJ w/D20 was the same way. 4-lo was the worst.. Eventually it would come out but not without a bunch of cussing. I cured mine with a twin stick.. If you look at the OEM linkage there are a ton of bind points and pivots.. IMO what you are experiencing is the norm for a stock D20.
     
    zila, Jan 7, 2014
    #26
  7. OleBlue

    OleBlue Sponsor

    Heim joints for the stock style linkage works as well.
     
    OleBlue, Jan 7, 2014
    #27
  8. 80cj

    80cj Member

    I would check and make sure the font and rear ratios match before something gives.
     
    80cj, Jan 12, 2014
    #28
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