Stuck In 4wd!?

[Nomad]

Hi all!

 

My dual range is stuck in 4wd.

 

Went to shift from 4 to 2, the lever went down, and nothing happened. It didn't FEEL like I broke anything.

 

I can still shift between hi and lo, but I cant get it to go back into 2.

 

This kinda sucks. I'm glad I can still drive the car, but tight turns are impossible.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

[GeneralDisorder]

I would start by checking the linkage - basically if it isn't the linkage, then it's internal to the tranny, and you would have to split the tranny open to figure it out - easier to replace the tranny...

 

GD

[riverrat]

I would disconect the linkage on top of the tranny and manualy shift it through the ranges.this would let you know right off the bat whether it was a linkage problem or a tranny issue.The linkage is just rear of the clutch under the spare,on top.

[GLCraig]

Okay If I read the post right, you're say that when you push the lever down (and it dose go all the way down?) it stays in 4wd but you can still shift between Hi and Low. Now the first thing I would do is make sure there is nothing preventing the linkage for going through its full range of motion. The 4wd shift linkage on a d/r 5 speed is located above the tail housing and to the passenger side. The linkage that goes to the front of the transmission is only for the Low range portion.

 

If you are not sure about the linkage disconnect it and push the shift arm in and out. All the way out is 2wd, middle position is 4wd/hi and all the way in is 4wd/low. You should feel some resistance going between the positions. When you think you have it 2wd, go take a test spin and see.

 

If it's still in 4wd then the transfer case is probably Tango Uniform. The way that Subaru Designed the transfer case, there is a drive gear connected to the front output shaft. Then there is a Output gear, that's meshed to the drive gear and connected to the tail shaft with a syncro. At this point there are three things I can think of that would prevent the syncro from disengaging and putting the transmission back into 2wd.

 

1. The pin that hold the shift fork in position on the shift arm, somehow came out while you were in 4wd.

 

2. The shift fork is either bent of broken.

 

3. The shift fork is worn out enough that it doesn’t move the syncro ring far enough to disengage the syncro.

 

If you decide to open things up and take a look, the good new is that you do not have to split the transmission. Every thing in the transfer case is accessible by taking off the inspection plate that's on to of the transmission.

[subiemech85]

try backing up and shifting, with and without hand brake

[torxxx]

Are all the tires on the car the exact same size tire?

 

Sounds like you are running into the linkage problem I had when I had to put 2 bigger spares on the back of my GL

[MilesFox]

make sure the steering wheel is straight wnen shifting in and out of 4wd.

 

you may have to back up or pull forwart do release any bind in the drivelind. find some loose sand or gravel to rollaround on to felease the lever

 

the owners manual will state that the steering wheel needs to be straigh..

 

nothing is broken...............

[incognito]

stuck in 4wd? what the hell's the problem then?

[Nomad]

"stuck in 4wd? what the hell's the problem then? "

 

That's funny! You'd figure it wouldn't really be a problem...

 

But i do need to be able to go from 2 to 4 and back, this is a <mostly>street driven car.

 

Okay.

 

You guys are awesome... my local mechanics don't know a thing about these cars, even the local import "specialist" never has a clue... he's ALWAYS got something to say though.

 

The linkage is fine. The tires are the same size. There is no drivetrain bind. I checked all that before i posted, just couldn't write it up. 'preciate the thoroughness...

 

Anyhow, I got it into 2 wheel, by playing around with the lever. It does go all the way down. It just doesn't always shift.

 

Having put the trans in the car, I learned that the two linkages (2 to 4 and then Hi/Lo) are actuated in sequence. Hi/Lo works fine. So therefore, the system is getting through its whole range of motion.

 

"1. The pin that hold the shift fork in position on the shift arm, somehow came out while you were in 4wd.

 

2. The shift fork is either bent of broken.

 

3. The shift fork is worn out enough that it doesn’t move the syncro ring far enough to disengage the syncro.

 

If you decide to open things up and take a look, the good new is that you do not have to split the transmission. Every thing in the transfer case is accessible by taking off the inspection plate that's on to of the transmission."

 

GlCraigGT, I think you're absolutely right. I was hoping it might be something else, that I didn't have to get inside the trans for, but at least the good news is that i don't have to split the case... just might still have to drop the trans though...

 

I'm HOPING it's reason number one.

 

Number two seems more likely, but still fixable.

 

Number three is possible, but the way the shfter feels when I push down. Its like it'll finally "catch" on somthing, and then it'll disengage gear; but if there's ANY bind or resistance in the shift, it'll slide past the engagement point and not do anythng, it stays in 4x.

 

A least NOW its in 2x and I can figure it out as I drive it. <groan> and just in time for snow.

 

Anyone have a dual range or parts for one up near north? I'm in Toronto, Ontario... will be somewhere in NY next month I think...

 

Thanks for the help all! I really appreciate it.

 

By the way, I LOVE how this board has evolved over the past few years. There's a TON more info here for the old Subes than anywhere else! Let's keep it up!