RT4WD Transfer Case issues?
eckobot
New Wagonist
Hello to ALL!!!
I am new to this forum stuff and i am really interested in some information that one or more might help with. I currently own a 1990 RT4WD w/ AT. I believe i am the second owner w/ about 150,000 Pennsylvania mountain miles on it. When the car was being driven home, the transmission started making a bad clunking "CLUNK, CLUNK, CLUNK", at about 30min. from our destination. The four wheel drive system was engaged at that time and i am sure EVER since then, so proceeded to disengage to the FWD only selection. From what i can gather that something has happened to a gear in the transfer case, because once i turned the four wheel OFF. The car moved fine just a bad "clunking" sound was made, but no motion lag, power lag, wining, shifting problem, etc.. I have another '90 RT4WD w/AT for a parts car that has 125,000 Chicago miles. Can i just change the gears in the transfer or ?. Basically, is there another means of finding out what happened WITHOUT changing the entire transmission???
I also purchased a 1990 Wagon Service manual w/ elect. trouble guide and i know how to turn a novice wrench. Just need a little guidance w/ my NEW RT4WD w/AT world since these are my FIRST EE's. Thank you very much for taking the time.
I am new to this forum stuff and i am really interested in some information that one or more might help with. I currently own a 1990 RT4WD w/ AT. I believe i am the second owner w/ about 150,000 Pennsylvania mountain miles on it. When the car was being driven home, the transmission started making a bad clunking "CLUNK, CLUNK, CLUNK", at about 30min. from our destination. The four wheel drive system was engaged at that time and i am sure EVER since then, so proceeded to disengage to the FWD only selection. From what i can gather that something has happened to a gear in the transfer case, because once i turned the four wheel OFF. The car moved fine just a bad "clunking" sound was made, but no motion lag, power lag, wining, shifting problem, etc.. I have another '90 RT4WD w/AT for a parts car that has 125,000 Chicago miles. Can i just change the gears in the transfer or ?. Basically, is there another means of finding out what happened WITHOUT changing the entire transmission???
I also purchased a 1990 Wagon Service manual w/ elect. trouble guide and i know how to turn a novice wrench. Just need a little guidance w/ my NEW RT4WD w/AT world since these are my FIRST EE's. Thank you very much for taking the time.
Comments
Don't drive it anymore :!: Go under the driver's(left) side of the wgn.Near the rear drive shaft off of the tranny is a 5-bolt cover(facing the driver's side).Unbolt the 3-4" webbed cvr.Oil may come out.I suspect the transfer gear inside exploded.Never done it b4 ,but you should be able to replace the gear w/o a tranny drop.I believe this to be the weak point.The same thing happen to me ,but in a manual tranny.If I had checked this first It would have saved me pulling the tranny in one of the coldest winters in a unheated garage.
Be sure to change out the ATF.
Thank you so much for the information! I figured that something just gave out in the transfer. I will definitely check this matter and get back with the out come. I am REALLY LUCKY to have found these almost matching beauties AND such a great forum! Thanks again and to the others that replied so soon.
NOTE: I am sorry to make you all jealous, but there's a lot more wagons on this forum alone to be jealous @.
The manual describes thrust shims of different thickness and there is an average of about 10 per shim. There is two shims to each of the two drive gears for the transfer. This is not including the multiple checks of where the gears are touching too figure which shim it is! This is with the help of "dummy shims" :roll:
I called up a new found acquaintance with more knowledge than i and is also not afraid of getting a little cold. 8)
The motor and trans is already out of the donor and is ready for its new home (for now). Thank you for the heads up on the drive gears and will still check this out once trans are swapped. Keep everyone posted on the progress as much as possible. Thanks a million.