Pirate 4x4 banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Atlas Transfer Case Stuck in High Front Dig Huh?

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
J

jcorlew24

· Registered
Joined
·
764 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Got in my buggy today to take it around the block. I have an Atlas 2 speed and the front is is engaged in high, but the rear will not shift into gear. I was under the impression that Atlas transfer cases could only front dig in low. Neither of the levers will move up or down. I can't even get the the front to go into neutral. I jacked up the rear and the wheels spin freely. It has never done this before and like I said I didn't even think this was possible. Does anyone know what is going on? The buggy shifts through gears and runs perfect.
 
#2 ·
How did you get the shift in front high to begin with? My t-case did this once and it was because I had smoked the gears that feed rear high range. That is the only way you have front high only in a 2 speed Atlas. It can happen if you manage to jam in front high while the rear is in another gear. Pull the plug and see if you have metal chunks there.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Sand Crab said:
How did you get the shift in front high to begin with? My t-case did this once and it was because I had smoked the gears that feed rear high range. That is the only way you have front high only in a 2 speed Atlas. It can happen if you manage to jam in front high while the rear is in another gear. Pull the plug and see if you have metal chunks there.
Click to expand...
I was running a race in 4wd high. When I pulled the buggy out of the trailer when I got home. I noticed that it was in front dig. The weird thing is the rear stick it stuck in the neutral position so it is not even engaged. Neither of the sticks will move at all.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Is it a rear engined buggy or an atlas that was originally designed for rear engine? If so, there is your answer.

If not, I got no answers unless there is a way to break the rear shift fork and the high-rear-lockout at the same time, which I cannot see happening...???heck, even that doesn't make sense to me...sorry...I'm clueless on this one.
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
RedBullJeep said:
Is it a rear engined buggy or an atlas that was originally designed for rear engine? If so, there is your answer.

If not, I got no answers unless there is a way to break the rear shift fork and the high-rear-lockout at the same time, which I cannot see happening...???heck, even that doesn't make sense to me...sorry...I'm clueless on this one.
Click to expand...
I feel you. It is very weird. I rolled hard and it took me out of the race. I have not had time to drop the skid or pull the inspection plate. It was working perfect though. Not sure what is going on. Not a rear enigine.
 
#7 ·
Probably should have included the part about rolling hard in your first post. Is there anything close to the shifters that could have hit them in the roll? In a hard roll I wouldn't be surprised if things moved/flexed a couple inches. Could have smashed the rear shifter into neutral and damaged the detents.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
mudtruck44 said:
Probably should have included the part about rolling hard in your first post. Is there anything close to the shifters that could have hit them in the roll? In a hard roll I wouldn't be surprised if things moved/flexed a couple inches. Could have smashed the rear shifter into neutral and damaged the detents.
Click to expand...
The roll was more cab over cab. The drivetrain seemed to not get the brunt of it. The whole thing is really weird. There is no noise coming from the transfer case and tranny. It shifts perfect but the transfer case just won't shift at all at any speed. I will be pulling the inspection plate tomorrow to see what is going on.
 
Discussion starter · #10 · (Edited)
So now I am really confused. Just got done pulling the inspection plate. When I pulled the drain plug there were some small shavings, but nothing out of the ordinary being the gears are pretty much new. The fluid that drained was clear and looked brand new. So once I got the plate off expecting to find some sort of shrapnel, to my surprise all the gears looked perfect.

This is a shot of the rear axle side.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/jcorlew24/IMG_0303_zps47cdfec2.jpg

This is a shot of the front axle side.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv294/jcorlew24/IMG_0303_zps47cdfec2.jpg


I am going to try adjusting the brass set screw on the shifter to see if the detent is jambed.
 
Discussion starter · #14 · (Edited)
Backed the set screw that holds the detent balls in place and nothing changed. I still can not get either stick to move. I did notice that there is a guide on the end of the shift fork that rides on the sliding gear on the front end side. On the rear end side it looks like the guide was either never there or is broken. The sliding gear has play and I can get a pry bar to slide it forward enough to get the rear end to engage, but when I remove the pry bar it goes right back to rear neutral. The shift fork will not move forward enough to lock it in gear. Looks like I will be calling Advanced Adapters in the morning. I seriously don't want to have to pull the case. It is a total PITA.
 
#15 ·
Take the set screws out of the shift forks, and try to shift it by sliding the shift fork. I'd be surprised if the problem wasn't in the detent housing.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
So after being on the phone with Advanced Adapters all morning the problem is still not solved. So far I have removed the 3 bolts from the back of the shifter block to take that out of the equation. Still neither shifter's would move. I then dropped the intermediate gear to get a better look at the shift rails. Everything looks perfect, but still the shift rails won't move. The shifters are mechanical and I can see that nothing is blocking them from moving. I am totally stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Discussion starter · #18 · (Edited)
Well after basically disassembling the most of the case while still in the buggy it seems to be fixed. Don't ask me what the problem was cause I am still clueless. I took the set screws and springs of shifter block still would not shift. So then I got into the cab put a breaker bar on the rear axle shifter trying to get it to go into 4 high. All the sudden there was a loud pop and in it went. Now they are shifting like butter. :confused:

Thanks for everyone's input it was greatly appreciated. Even the guys at Advanced were scratching their heads. I have to say though they have some of the best customer service I have ever experienced. The guy walked me through everything he could think to do.
 
#19 ·
Agreed with Jesse, I bet if you pulled the shift rails and the pills you'll see one is gouged. Bet you had a pill somehow manage to bind on the rail/detent. If it did it once and gouged good, it will now happen again easier.
 
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
About this Discussion
19 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
bbaxter51
Pirate 4x4
posts
19M
members
378K
Since
2000
A forum community dedicated to custom off-road vehicle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about trail reports, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, fabrication, drivetrain, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General 4x4 Discussions Toyota - Truck and 4Runner Vehicles & Trailers Classifieds Axles,Tires & Wheels Classifieds Jeep - Hardcore Tech