LT230 only moving when locked

L

low_49

Member
Oct 6, 2016
11
1
Monrovia, CA
Hello, my transfer case hs developed an annoying issue. It will only move when locked. I am able to shift from hi/lo no problem and lock/unlock easily. The problem is, when the selector is in the unlocked position, there is no vehicle movement and when you put it back into park, there is a grinding noise as the gears spin down.
What could be the problem?
 
D Chapman

D Chapman

1
Jan 3, 2005
11,746
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On Kennith's private island
Broken axle somewhere. Have someone sit in the truck and put it in gear with the t-case unlocked. Then look under the truck to see which driveshaft is spinning. If the front driveshaft is spinning, you have a broken front axle. If the rear shaft is spinning, you have a broken rear axle. Could be a broken diff and not an axle, but you'll figure that out when you remove the shafts.
 
L

low_49

Member
Oct 6, 2016
11
1
Monrovia, CA
Yup, busted front axle. Weird thing is, it never gave any indication that it broke (until it stopped moving) and I haven't been wheeling it lately . Oh well, thanks for the replies, now to pull my front diff!
 
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p m

p m

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Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
German Gruner said:
May be you can find which half axe is broken by jacking complete front axe. A wheel will turn loose and the other will be connected to diff, evtlly turning when propshaft is working.
Click to expand...

Both wheels will turn freely even if only one axle shaft/CV joint is broken, regardless of whether the center diff is locked or not (unless a CV grenaded and shrapnel jammed between the CV outer and the ball).
However, if you lift wheels off the ground one at a time, and you find one that turns freely, that's your culprit.

I wish I thought of that on Rubicon... instead of relying on my recollection on which side the sound came from...
 
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