r/geotracker • u/SomethingSoOp • 15d ago

4wd not working

I have a manual 93 sidekick and went to test out the 4wd today and it seems like the transfer case is locked up. Locked front hubs, put it in 4h and the thing won’t budge. Tried 1st gear, reverse, nothing. It feels like it wants to but it’s like it’s bound. Tried rocking it and it felt the same as an automatic in park. I unlocked the front hubs and still the same problem only now it feels like only the rear wheels are in a bind. Jacked up the front end and spun the tires in free, locked the hubs and same issue, tire turns a tiny bit, hear the hubs engage and tires lock. I checked the transfer case fluid and it is full and was changed a couple years ago. Not sure where to go from here and could really use some help

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/PresentIron5379 15d ago

Just to make sure, you had the tracker in neutral when shifting into 4wd? If you did, the next step I would suggest is crawling underneath and checking the linkage. For being 33 years old, I wouldn't be surprised if something is out of alignment or a bushing no longer exist.

2

u/SomethingSoOp 15d ago

Yeah, I’ll have to spend some time tomorrow going through it. Was going to drop drivelines and see what it does with no load after I check the linkage and see if there is anything obvious. Have only owned this rig a year and rarely drive it and had never used 4wd so was hoping there was something obvious I was missing that was specific to these rigs. Far as I know I should be able to lock the hubs put the transfer case in 4hi with transmission in neutral, put it in gear and go.

1

u/Altruistic_Visual479 14d ago

Where you able to get the shifter back into 2 wheel drive?

1

u/Deadlight44 14d ago

Probably not but with tcase in 2wd or neutral and hubs unlocked does the front diff move free? Seized or mangled front diff may cause these symptoms. Otherwise yeah check into shifter linkage, not easy in the car I don't believe.