Transfer case lever stuck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DanSaco · 09-02-2019, 07:24 PM

Hey all, recently inherited a 1988 gmc k2500 (6 lug) plowtruck that has sat for at least five years. Got it to start and run well, it goes into drive and reverse, transfer case shifter is stuck in 2wd, can’t budge it. Even tried pushing on it with my foot, in park or neutral, running or not. Could it be the linkage is just rusted and froze up, or do I have serious transfer case problems? Wondering if this was a common problem that maybe some of you guys have seen before. Tia
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b454rat · 09-03-2019, 06:00 AM

Most likely rusted. Spray the crap outta it n keep trying

**hatzie** · 09-08-2019, 09:06 PM

Tap on the linkage with a hammer after you spray it.
Don't wail the crap out of it knock on it with a hammer.

DanSaco · 12-01-2019, 03:09 PM

Still no luck, messed with it a couple times when I had time. I soaked the piece the linkage connects to at the transfer case end with penetrating oil, I’ve removed the linkage and confirmed it’s the t-case, and not the linkage itself. Tapping it with a hammer won’t budge it, although admittedly I can’t get a hammer in there very well. Haven’t been able to find anything where someone describes a similar issue. I’m wondering if I should try to loosen or remove the nut holding the piece to the case. It looks like it’s kind of rounded offf, I think it’s had this problem in the past maybe. I’ll have to pound an extractor onto it I guess. Previous owner told me he remembered his dad having it stick one time and someone had to get under the truck and mess with something. Hoping I don’t have to swap the transfer case out.
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sweetk30 · 12-01-2019, 04:17 PM

the whole lever can freeze up in the floor . were i use to work we had to get a whole used setup to swap in to replace the frozen one .

DanSaco · 12-01-2019, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetk30

the whole lever can freeze up in the floor . were i use to work we had to get a whole used setup to swap in to replace the frozen one .

Unhooked the shifter linkage to verify if it was that or the case. It’s not the shifter, that all moves freely now.
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sweetk30 · 12-01-2019, 10:02 PM

oh crap thats not good then .

sounds like time to pop the case out and split it open .

09-02-2019, 07:24 PM	#1
DanSaco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Raymond, NH Posts: 49	Transfer case lever stuck Hey all, recently inherited a 1988 gmc k2500 (6 lug) plowtruck that has sat for at least five years. Got it to start and run well, it goes into drive and reverse, transfer case shifter is stuck in 2wd, can’t budge it. Even tried pushing on it with my foot, in park or neutral, running or not. Could it be the linkage is just rusted and froze up, or do I have serious transfer case problems? Wondering if this was a common problem that maybe some of you guys have seen before. Tia Posted via Mobile Device

09-03-2019, 06:00 AM	#2
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,453	Re: Transfer case lever stuck Most likely rusted. Spray the crap outta it n keep trying

09-08-2019, 09:06 PM	#3
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,912	Re: Transfer case lever stuck Tap on the linkage with a hammer after you spray it. Don't wail the crap out of it knock on it with a hammer. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

12-01-2019, 03:09 PM	#4
DanSaco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Raymond, NH Posts: 49	Re: Transfer case lever stuck Still no luck, messed with it a couple times when I had time. I soaked the piece the linkage connects to at the transfer case end with penetrating oil, I’ve removed the linkage and confirmed it’s the t-case, and not the linkage itself. Tapping it with a hammer won’t budge it, although admittedly I can’t get a hammer in there very well. Haven’t been able to find anything where someone describes a similar issue. I’m wondering if I should try to loosen or remove the nut holding the piece to the case. It looks like it’s kind of rounded offf, I think it’s had this problem in the past maybe. I’ll have to pound an extractor onto it I guess. Previous owner told me he remembered his dad having it stick one time and someone had to get under the truck and mess with something. Hoping I don’t have to swap the transfer case out. Posted via Mobile Device

12-01-2019, 04:17 PM	#5
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Transfer case lever stuck the whole lever can freeze up in the floor . were i use to work we had to get a whole used setup to swap in to replace the frozen one . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

12-01-2019, 10:02 PM	#7
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Transfer case lever stuck oh crap thats not good then . sounds like time to pop the case out and split it open . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.



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