4x4 will not engage on my 1994 Z-71..help?? - Page 2

gmctrucks · 08-13-2008, 08:57 AM

My buddies sons 4x4 had the same problem it turned out to be a fuse. On my 87 Burb when I bought it I got into some deep mud I switched it to 4x4 and nothing happened what I did is place a self locking Warn hubs on it and it worked great. Now back to deep mud good thing the Burb had a posi unit it barley came out of the mud.

fourwheelhorsem · 08-28-2008, 03:53 PM

HI ALL!!!!! My 4x4 is now FIXED!! YEEEE HAAAAWWW!!! The best part about it is... i fixed it myself and it cost me only around 20$. OKAY.. so here was the issue... after tearing the whole right hand axle assy. apart.. I noticed the thrust washer was banged up pretty good and the retainer clip, that holds the gear on the axle, was also not doing it's job either, causing the gear the "slide" around a bit.The axle itself looked perfect... soo I replaced the washer, the clip seemed fine, but it got replaced as well. After replacing the clip I noticed the same thing occured, it took about 1/2 lb of force to pull the gear out of place ( there's a small groove the clip seats in) I asked a couple of local mechanics about it, as well as the dealership... they all said it was normal...I highly doubted that! Then finally I found a guy who used to work at the local machine shop AND worked for DANA corp. for 30 yrs. He not only knew what I was talking about but also confirmed the fact that you should have to "pry" the gear off... rather than just pull it off, like you ,would a radio knob! He suggested I either (a) build up the area around the groove by welding it and re-machine it, or (b) weld the gear to the axle shaft. or (c) replace the axle shaft.. I chose (b) I put new bearings in the axle tube and a new axle seal and welded the gear to the axle... it works perfect. I was going to replace the axle, but the dealership said they couldn't get me one for under 300$... and that was only IF they could still get them. They said that rather than rebuild... they simply replace with a whole front axle for around 1200$ causing pieces and parts to become fairly obsolete. I'm not sure IF they were feeding me a line or not...However my truck is fixed, done it myself, done it cheeeeply, and it works as it should.The only issue is that IF I ever have to remove the axle tube assy. I doubt that I will.. it has 150,000 miles on it, I'll prolly be looking for a new truck by the time the new axle seal starts to leak, or the new axle bearing goes out. So, about 8 hrs labor and 20$ later.. she's done. ANYHOW.... thanks for everyones great help!

mudseeker · 08-28-2008, 04:52 PM

i hope you took your time welding and didn't apply too much heat to those gears. i have seen some welded thirds on rock crawlers that have grenaded, some due to too much heat and others were from poor penetration.

anyways, glad you got it fixed and hope it stays that way.

08-28-2008, 04:52 PM	#13
mudseeker Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 3,934	i hope you took your time welding and didn't apply too much heat to those gears. i have seen some welded thirds on rock crawlers that have grenaded, some due to too much heat and others were from poor penetration. anyways, glad you got it fixed and hope it stays that way. __________________ member map add yourself

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ranger wont engage 4x4	94Ranger4x4	Ford Truck Forum	3	07-25-2007 05:51 PM
4wd hubs won't engage	riata_ag	Chevy Truck Forum	16	03-29-2007 09:16 PM
4x4 will not engage	teeshirtfarmer	Dodge Truck Forum	2	02-24-2007 08:12 AM
1994 Gmc	joshnkelly	Introductions	2	11-12-2006 11:50 AM
Ohio man accused of helping minor engage in truck stop prostitution (Ohio News Network)	trucknews	Truck News (headlines)	0	06-11-2005 05:30 PM

08-13-2008, 08:57 AM	#11
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 1,603	My buddies sons 4x4 had the same problem it turned out to be a fuse. On my 87 Burb when I bought it I got into some deep mud I switched it to 4x4 and nothing happened what I did is place a self locking Warn hubs on it and it worked great. Now back to deep mud good thing the Burb had a posi unit it barley came out of the mud.

08-28-2008, 03:53 PM	#12
fourwheelhorsem Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7	HI ALL!!!!! My 4x4 is now FIXED!! YEEEE HAAAAWWW!!! The best part about it is... i fixed it myself and it cost me only around 20$. OKAY.. so here was the issue... after tearing the whole right hand axle assy. apart.. I noticed the thrust washer was banged up pretty good and the retainer clip, that holds the gear on the axle, was also not doing it's job either, causing the gear the "slide" around a bit.The axle itself looked perfect... soo I replaced the washer, the clip seemed fine, but it got replaced as well. After replacing the clip I noticed the same thing occured, it took about 1/2 lb of force to pull the gear out of place ( there's a small groove the clip seats in) I asked a couple of local mechanics about it, as well as the dealership... they all said it was normal...I highly doubted that! Then finally I found a guy who used to work at the local machine shop AND worked for DANA corp. for 30 yrs. He not only knew what I was talking about but also confirmed the fact that you should have to "pry" the gear off... rather than just pull it off, like you ,would a radio knob! He suggested I either (a) build up the area around the groove by welding it and re-machine it, or (b) weld the gear to the axle shaft. or (c) replace the axle shaft.. I chose (b) I put new bearings in the axle tube and a new axle seal and welded the gear to the axle... it works perfect. I was going to replace the axle, but the dealership said they couldn't get me one for under 300$... and that was only IF they could still get them. They said that rather than rebuild... they simply replace with a whole front axle for around 1200$ causing pieces and parts to become fairly obsolete. I'm not sure IF they were feeding me a line or not...However my truck is fixed, done it myself, done it cheeeeply, and it works as it should.The only issue is that IF I ever have to remove the axle tube assy. I doubt that I will.. it has 150,000 miles on it, I'll prolly be looking for a new truck by the time the new axle seal starts to leak, or the new axle bearing goes out. So, about 8 hrs labor and 20$ later.. she's done. ANYHOW.... thanks for everyones great help!