What component does parking pahl contact on A4LD?

[EdgeKrusher4x4]

for those of you who know the transmission i was wondering what physical component the parking pahl contacts. i was t hhinking its the output shaft. I have a friend with a 4x4 explorer a4ld who thinks his trans is bad based on no vehicle response, but with the vehicle running if he shifts out of park and then tries to shift back in, it makes the grinding noise like if you try to shift a moving vehicle into park. im wondering if this is maybe a transfer case issue. thanks!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Its a gear on the output shaft that the pawl engages onto.

 

[projectnitemare]

Exactly. There is a gear that resembles a tone ring on the output shaft. What year is the explorer? If it's new enough to have the automatic 4x4 garbage I'll put money on the drive screw in the t-case being worn out. If it's older is it manual or electric shift. If electric try pulling the shift motor and shift the case into a different range manually. High possibility the shift motor stuck. Your instinct sounds correct, if you are getting a sound when putting it in park then the output on the trans is moving. I'd check the t-case first. If you are working on the newer auto 4x4 case PM me if you get stuck on it. The drive screw is actually a pretty cheap and easy repair.

Matt