Turn switch...slow down...whirrrr....clunk...

[ascdesigns]

In a nutshell, that's what is sometimes happening on my 98 Ranger 4x4. Yesterday was snowing out and I needed 4HI on a few occasions. No problems going into 4HI. A couple times when I switched back to 2HI around 30-40mph all seemed well until I slowed down to about 10mph. Then I'd hear the "whirring" noise, definitely from the transfer case. It almost felt like a little binding too. Then right before I'd stop, there would be a clunking as the transfer case fully disengaged and it would definitely be back in 2HI.

Are these the symptoms of a transfer switch motor going bad? I have no problems replacing it but before I sink $100 into another part I'd like to have your opinions/suggestions.

My truck: '98 Ranger 4x4, 3.0, 5-sp manual, pretty much stock.

Thanks!

Al

 

[wahlstrom1]

Usually you have to let off the throttle or 'unload' the driveline (clutch pedal to the floor) to get 4wd to unlock while moving. I know even with a manual case unless your coasting it can be hard to shift mode's.

 

[ascdesigns]

Thanks for the quick reply wahlstrom.

Hmmm... So it's possible it's just acting stubborn but that may be normal? It's just that the clunk seems a bit unnerving, you can definitely feel it and it's like some gears are popping out. But then all is well in 2HI and getting back into 4HI again later is perfectly smooth...

 

[wahlstrom1]

Yup, the transfer case in our trucks has no differential in the case so when you make a turn on hard pack/road it will put a binding load on the case which can make it difficult to disengage. It won't usually do it engaging because there's no bind present if ya follow what I'm sayin...

It's perfectly normal.

 

[ascdesigns]

Thanks again! I'll stop being a worry-wart about this and focus on other things - like getting some better/bigger tires instead!

- Al

 

[RavoHimself]

on some trucks you even have to roll backwards a bit to help unload the t case. nothing to worry about

 

[ascdesigns]

Given that:
a) I've been reading about how prone the auto hubs are to inconsistent operation and
b) I heard about the latest snowstorm to roll through Denver (just got 8" today),

I decided to do the perma-lock hub mod. Since I've done that two days ago, when testing the 2HI-to-4HI-to-2HI operation, my transfer case has been behaving quite nicely.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions/comments too!

- Al