snowrodeo

remember reading something awhile back about a vaccum line that causes the hubs to lock into 4 wheel drive??? tried to shift my truck into 4x4 yesterday - no worky. no light on dash, couldnt feel tires skipping around corners, so i assume it isnt locking in.
any one know where to start with this little problemo? thanks for the help.

snowrodeo

anyone ???

kawiram

climb under behind the front diff. In the middle where the axle tube is enlarged you'll see some vacuum and electrical line hooked to the axle. check and see if there hooked up and not broked or frayed.

meanfarmer

Its the actuator on the axle easy fix but about $200 from dodge dealer I bet you can get it cheaper at a parts store. Happened to mine 2 weeks after I bought the truck. Good luck

snowrodeo

thanks. i'll check it out.

thefermanator

I always found that the switch on the t-case was more of a problem than the actuator. Normally the only problem with the actuator is if it doesn't get used it will rust and not move, but the switch will commonly stick or get plugged. You can get them at autozone for under $15 I believe.

Korney

I get a light in my dash but hooking a vacuum pump to the front diff does not lock in my front tires. How does that light go on if it is not moving that actuator.

spyder3634

That little actuator is known for not being too reliable. Mine went out and I replaced it with the 4x4 posi-lock. Do a search for it, the website is on one of the threads, I forget it. It is the same price as a new actuator but it replaces it with a cable and you operate from inside the truck. Works really well!

Korney

is it possible if i change that asctutor on my front diff that my front wheels still don't spin. It is front diff troubles cause I checked it to there.

SMOKNISB

Your actuator may be moving and activating the switch, but the shift fork may be worn down. You need to take it off and inspect it. Find out if your actuator is really moving and you may just need to replace the shift fork. You can get parts pretty reasonable at www.quad4X4.com

SMOKNISB

There is several things you need to check. One put truck in park, then put it in 4WD. Check to see if you can turn the front driveshaft. You should not be able to turn it. This will tell you if the transfer case is engaging the front driveshaft. Then you need to check for vacuum on the CAD actuator lines. You will have vacuum one of the lines when in 2WD and vacuum on the other in 4WD. If it is switching at the actuator this tells you several things: 1. The vacuum switch on the transfer case is good 2. The vacuum lines are not clogged and 3. This will tell you if you have sufficient vacuum. If you have good vacuum, you then need to inspect the CAD actuator and shift fork. Remove the actuator and plug the vacuum lines back in. Do the same as above and watch it in 2WD, then shift to 4WD and see if the actuator moves. If it does not and has good vacuum, the actuator is bad, possibly rust or a busted diaphram. If the actuator moves, the shift fork may be wore out and not moving the collar to engage the axle. The actuator goes over and hits a switch and sets the light on the dash. If you suspect the light is bad, try manually pushing the switch in and see if the light comes on. If the light still does not come on, you can check the switch by pushing it in and checking the resistance of the switch. It should be close to zero. You can check the dash light by shorting the two wires on the switch together. This will force the dash light on.