1994 4x4 problem

[stratman440]

I just got home from gettin a pizza and i've noticed a problem with the 4x4 on my 1994 k1500. I live in Ohio, and with that snow storm goin on, the roads are shit. I put my truck in 4x4 at an intersection, and she engaged like normal. Later, when I shifted out of it, nothing happened. I drove for like a mile when I got a loud clunk, and then the 4x4 disengaged. I tried the 4x4 a few minutes later out of curiousity, and guess what, it got stuck in it again. So I pulled into a parking lot and put her in 4x4 low. Everything worked fine, until I tried to shift outta low. She grinded heavily throught the transfer case lever while going into 2wd. Yes, I was in neutral with my foot on the brake. I'm hoping this is something to do with the cold weather, cause I can't afford an expensive fix right now. Thanks alot

[J-Ri]

Possibly bent linkage. Did you do anything that could have bent it?

[amac209]

make sure all your tires are the same size, type, wear, and pressure. have you checked the oil in the transfercase and front diff. most chevy's will grind a little when shifting in and out of 4 low if they have an automatic tranny.

[stratman440]

All tires are sime size and pressure. How do you check the oil level in the transfercase and front differential. Should I drain the transfer case? I can see a drain plug, but nowhere to fill it. I know that they grind some, my buddy has a '90, but this grinding is excessive, its almost impossible to get it into 2wd, feels like the transfercase is gonna blow! any help would be great

[stratman440]

to answer J-ri's question, I dont think anything is bent. I went offroading 2 weeks ago, and everything worked fine after that. I've used 4x4 a few times since, and problem only showed up yesterday.

[acewelderman]

Originally Posted by stratman440

All tires are sime size and pressure. How do you check the oil level in the transfercase and front differential. Should I drain the transfer case? I can see a drain plug, but nowhere to fill it. I know that they grind some, my buddy has a '90, but this grinding is excessive, its almost impossible to get it into 2wd, feels like the transfercase is gonna blow! any help would be great

I would try to shut it off & try to shift out.Might have to wiggle or move the truck back & fouth.Dont grind it !!Maby your idle is a bit high??Up on the side of t case I think drivers side,there should be a plug,I fill mine to just shy of the fill hole , put the short end of an allen wrench in the hole to ck ,if there is oil on it its full.Same w/front axle,I use my friends air powerd can to fill t case (no room to tipp a bottle)In the end I think your probly low on fluid or to stiff of oil.

[stratman440]

Good thought on the high idle. Mine is a little high, but I cant get it back to where it needs to be. I dont have a tach, so I cant tell where it's at. I usually end up putting it too low, and it dies when going into gear, or making a turn at idle. I've been trying to solve that problem for a while. What weight do you use in a transfercase, I've never filled one?

[mbumgua]

GM transfer cases since about 1983 or 1984 are designed to use Dexxron 3. Heavyweight oils (90 etc.) can ruin your t-case.