Manual transfer case help......
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 355
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From: Oregon
Manual transfer case help......
I just picked up a new-to-me '04 F250 with the 5.4, 4R100 trans, and NP271 manual transfer case. The transfer case doesn't like to go into or out of 4 low. With the tranny in neutral the T-case grinds like a ***** going into 4L. It doesn't like to come out, either. I've never had one do this before while sitting at a complete stop. Something is making the T-case input rotate even though I'm stopped dead and the tranny is in park or neutral. The grinding reminds me of trying to force a transfer case into 4L while moving, but I'm not moving. I can cram it into 4L (ka-CHUNK!!) and it stays there, but I shouldn't have to do that. Not to mention it's hard on the T-case. Usually a linkage adjustment will help, but I'm a little freaked out about whatever is making the transfer case spin like it's moving. Inertia from the tranny? WTF??
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oregon
Nope. I just picked up the rig this morning. It only has 17K miles on it, and I didn't see any evidence of a leak anywhere, but I'll take a gander at the fluid pretty quick. It doesn't have a problem with 2H/4H, just N and 4L.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
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From: Dallas, Oregon
The symtoms sound like the transmission output is turning. It sounds like a transmission clutch is not releasing or the torque converter is in lockup. Did it drive OK in 2WD? Any tendency to stall or lug the engine at a stop while in Drive?
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oregon
Drives fine in all modes. I've had several manual transfer cases before, but they all had manual trannys. I know that with most manual transmissions there's enough inertia to spin the output shaft while it's in neutral, but not enough to cause a problem for the T-case. Seems weird for an automatic to do it.
I did find a Ford tech bulletin for my truck's transfer case that said that some of them get stuck in 4H or 4L due to a linkage bracket design. I guess there's an updated linkage bracket to fix the problem. I'm going to adjust the linkage per the bulletin and see what happens. It's not the exact problem I'm having, but it can't hurt to try.
I did find a Ford tech bulletin for my truck's transfer case that said that some of them get stuck in 4H or 4L due to a linkage bracket design. I guess there's an updated linkage bracket to fix the problem. I'm going to adjust the linkage per the bulletin and see what happens. It's not the exact problem I'm having, but it can't hurt to try.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
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From: Dallas, Oregon
Check the transmission fluid. If it is too thick, that would make the output spin even in neutral. There is a syncro in the transfer case that could be failing, but that seems remote unless the PO abused it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
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From: Dallas, Oregon
I took another look at the exploded drawing of the transfer case, and another possibility could be a bad pilot bearing in the input gear. That would let the mainshaft drop out of alignment and make the sliding gear not mesh with the planet gears.
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Postmaster
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From: Richmond BC
cheap fix might be to just have the engine off for swapping into/out of 4Lo... ???
i know it kinds suks, but you def. wouldnt get any grinding of gears..
i know it kinds suks, but you def. wouldnt get any grinding of gears..
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From: West Texas
Are you stopping the shifter in Neutral for the transfer case? Don't do that. It's best to shift it into low with the trans in neutral , vehicle just barely rolling forward, and one slow steady movement of the shifter. Almost any t case will act up if you stop it in neutral for some reason.
Do check the oil in it like was already suggested first. I can't remember exactly what oil is recommended in yours as I am more of an expert on the BW units but I do know I had a lot of pains from the NP ones in GM's when I worked at those dealers. Especially the later viscous clutch types. What a mess they started with those. SOme of them took special high dollar oil too.
I run synthetic mercon in all of mine but they are manual BW's.
Do check the oil in it like was already suggested first. I can't remember exactly what oil is recommended in yours as I am more of an expert on the BW units but I do know I had a lot of pains from the NP ones in GM's when I worked at those dealers. Especially the later viscous clutch types. What a mess they started with those. SOme of them took special high dollar oil too.
I run synthetic mercon in all of mine but they are manual BW's.
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From: LONG ISLAND N.Y.
Are you stopping the shifter in Neutral for the transfer case? Don't do that. It's best to shift it into low with the trans in neutral , vehicle just barely rolling forward, and one slow steady movement of the shifter. Almost any t case will act up if you stop it in neutral for some reason.
Do check the oil in it like was already suggested first. I can't remember exactly what oil is recommended in yours as I am more of an expert on the BW units but I do know I had a lot of pains from the NP ones in GM's when I worked at those dealers. Especially the later viscous clutch types. What a mess they started with those. SOme of them took special high dollar oil too.
I run synthetic mercon in all of mine but they are manual BW's.
Do check the oil in it like was already suggested first. I can't remember exactly what oil is recommended in yours as I am more of an expert on the BW units but I do know I had a lot of pains from the NP ones in GM's when I worked at those dealers. Especially the later viscous clutch types. What a mess they started with those. SOme of them took special high dollar oil too.
I run synthetic mercon in all of mine but they are manual BW's.
thats how i engage mine also. no problems.
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From: Long Island USA
Are you stopping the shifter in Neutral for the transfer case? Don't do that. It's best to shift it into low with the trans in neutral , vehicle just barely rolling forward, and one slow steady movement of the shifter. Almost any t case will act up if you stop it in neutral for some reason.
With the auto tranny in neutral, the output shaft WILL spin with the transfer case in neutral.
The trick is to put the tranny in neutral, with the transfer case in 4x4HI, and in one smooth motion, go from 4x4HI to 4x4LOW.
You shouldn't let the transfer case sit in neutral for long, the input shaft WILL start spinning.
Also, it's a NV271 - New Venture.
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