Missing Middle Bolt To Disengage AWD

zion1976zion1976 Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Hello everyone! On my wagon a 1988 rt4wd i was trying to disengage the awd system via losseing the bottom bolt and than turning the middle bolt counter clockwise.. Well i was turning it counter clockwise and the middle bolt snapped off!!!Im looking at the bottom lock bolt and see its in exact middle of the between engaged and disengaged..I tightened the bottom bolt and went for a drive but i cant tell whether or not its engaged or disengaged>> can someone chime in?

Comments

  • JakerJaker familEE
    Part of the reason you had trouble was because you had not fully disengaged the drive to the back wheels. You probably needed to rock the car back and forth to successfully complete the operation. The lever needs to go full throw either way to fully engage/disengage the drive to the back. You are shifting gears (just like in a transmission) and this particular gear has no synchros, just like reverse. Think of trying to shift into reverse sometimes, and it just won't go in unless you let the clutch out a tiny bit. This is the same thing. The rocking back and forth of the car is like letting the clutch out slightly. The missing middle bolt is not a big deal at all. You just have to figure out a way to move the lever without it. The lever is welded at the opposite end to a large metal shaft that goes down into the transfer case area.
  • zion1976zion1976 Band Wagon
    so should i try it again by loosing the bottom bolt i guess rock the car back and for and try to find a way to push the lever( i guess with long screw driver) into the disengaging socket than tighten bottom bolt?is this feasible
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    I snapped the head off bolt on mine as well. Before I even got it towed away from the previous owner. My bolt still sticks up a bit through the lever. So I just made sure to tighten the bottom/front one well. I was planning to inspect it soon when I pull the motor.
  • zion1976zion1976 Band Wagon
    Thanks for the replies. Can someone explain the rocking back and forth motion? Are u shaking the car from front to back OR side to side please explain.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    zion1976 wrote:
    Thanks for the replies. Can someone explain the rocking back and forth motion? Are u shaking the car from front to back OR side to side please explain.

    Well, if you're wheels will spin side to side... I say go for that lol
  • zion1976zion1976 Band Wagon
    Charb1618 wrote:
    zion1976 wrote:
    Thanks for the replies. Can someone explain the rocking back and forth motion? Are u shaking the car from front to back OR side to side please explain.

    Well, if you're wheels will spin side to side... I say go for that lol
    lol doh!!!
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