Should I be able to move my front drive shaft?
your front shaft should be locked with the front tires. it should spin freely in 2WD, but it will still be locked with the front tires. Lift your front 2 tires off the ground and see what happens when you spin the shaft.
What is a locked transfer case?
Such a transfer case is permanently “locked” into all-wheel-drive mode. Transfer cases that are designed to allow for normal road use synchronize the difference between the rotation of the front and rear wheels, in much the same way the differential acts on a given axle.
Does the front drive shaft move in 2WD?
The front driveshaft is basically disconnected from the driveline at the transfer case while in 2wd so the only thing holding the driveshaft in place is the tires. The little you can move it is just the gears coming together within the diff.
How does the transfer case work in a 4WD truck?
When the transfer case is placed in 4WD, the transfer case splits the power between the rear axle, and the front axle. This provides more traction when dealing with mud, snow, or other slick surfaces. The transfer case can either be shifted manually, or by a dash mounted selector switch.
How does a transfer case shift motor work?
Then the clutch coil is deenergized and the transfer case shift motor engages, moving the shift forks to the desired position. This is done to accelerate the front halfshafts to equal the speed of the wheels and to initiate locking of the front hubs.
Can a loose chain cause a transfer case to leak?
On many transfer cases, a loose chain will rub a hole in the top of the transfer case housing, thus there are rebuild kits that include a new chain and the front half of the case. Replacing the chain and the front case half should, however, be done by a professional rather than a DIY person.
Can a transfer case have an oil leak?
If a leak is gradual (and they often are), you may not see a puddle, but over a period of time, the transfer case can become dangerously low on oil, leading to the destruction of internal components. This takes longer than a manual transmission to show up because transfer cases have an oil pump—manual transmissions typically don’t.