Topic: front axle not turning wheels in 4wd

[95wranyj]

need a little help here.  I had my 95 yj jacked up the other day and noticed I could stop both wheels from turning with no problem.  I thought the vacuum system was shot so I installed a Posi-lock on it yesterday.  The problem is the same.  I do not have lockers, it's a stock differential so I understand that if one wheel stops the other will still turn, I jammed a block of wood under one side and can still stop the other tire from spinning no problem, even the front drive shaft stops.  when I do this to the back tires the still spinning tire will turn you a flip.  Do I have transfer case problems or what.  any help is appreciated.

[sharpxmen]

did you shift it in 4wd?  if you did then it could be the splines on your passenger shaft or collar, but since you installed the cable i guess you cheched that already. could be the spider gears or less likely the pinion/gear as well but that would make noise. same for the t-case, you will hear some noise if something was broken. if everything is silent my best guess is that your posi-lock does not engage the passenger side axle.

here's question that would help giving you a better answer: when you stop the wheels (i understand that you have one stopped with a wood block) is the driveshaft still spinning or not? if it is then the problem is in the front axle, if the driveshaft stops spinning then the problem is in the transfer case - i bet on the first option (front axle issue, probably the collar does not engage the axle).

Let us know what you find, this is interesting.

[95wranyj]

yes, I had it shifted into 4hi at first then 4low.  It does not make any grinding noise at all, perfectly smooth.  when I first get it shifted into 4wd, the tires front and back start turning as soon as I let out on the clutch, then I can stop the front tires (both) from spinning with no problem at all, even the drive shaft stops spinning.  I turned off the engine and when I turn one of the tires by hand, the drive shaft turns with it so I know the axle is locked in.  I think I may need some work on my t-case.  what do you think?

[sharpxmen]

if the driveshaft stops spinning as well it is from the t-case. I have not taken apart an NP231 so can't offer the best advise there (maybe splines or chain, dunno). If you're in Vancouver area I do have one in perfect working order that i can sell (I put a Dana 300 in mine).

EDIT: is the lever on your t-case shifter connected fine - check it, i'm just thinking since there is no noise maybe it is not engaging the 4wd (and maybe that was your vacuum problem as well before installing the cable)

[Bounty Hunter]

Sounds like it is in the transfer case, likely a problem with the mode fork or collar.  The front spinning as you describe sounds like it's due to the viscous properties of the fluid. 

[95wranyj]

thanks for the replies guys, I think the shifter is hooked up properly as I can feel it shifting, it must be something in the t-case.  wish I lived near vancouver, I would take you up on that.  I will try to put my hands on one locally (Alabama).  If anybody knows a good place let me know.