98 ford expedition wranglercase wont disengage?

[albany9044]

I've got a 98 eb 5.4l and yesterday I got stuck after parking in the mud. No problem, so I put it in 4lo, and back out. However when I out it back in 2hi, it didn't make the same clunking noise that it usually makes when shifting out of 4wd, it did however make a very slight noise but just like a small one, and it sounded like it was coming fromthe same place. And now when I go to drive the truck, it sort of bobs up and down at low speeds. BTW the light on the dash that tells me whether or not it is in 4wd went off when I attempted to put it back in 2hi.

 

[JUST4FUN]

The shift motor sounds bad from your explanation on the t case ,what's a wranglercase?

 

[albany9044]

Lol sorry meant to say transfer case. So how can I test it?

 

[thenaaks]

Just checking. .. you tried shifting the transfer case back to 2hi with the transmission in neutral, right?

 

[albany9044]

Just checking. .. you tried shifting the transfer case back to 2hi with the transmission in neutral, right?

Yes

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

In neutral with your foot on the brake?

 

[albany9044]

Yes it is

 

[albany9044]

Update:

When I pulled out of my driveway tonight to go to the store and there was a squealing noise, as if the parking brake was still on, but it wasnt. And a put the vehicle on jack stands just to check everything out and it feels like there is some resistance on the front passenger tire. Also for a while now there has been a weird noise coming from the front of the vehicle when making a right hand turn slowly, almost like a low whirring type of noise. I'm wondering if maybe the wheel bearing is going out and maybe this has something to do with my issue and when I out it in 4wd the other day it just kinda pushed it past it's breaking point or something

 

[wall_e]

The bearings are the non rebuildable press fit style, with the tire off the ground try pushing on the top of the tire and then on the bottom. Hands at about 12 an 6 rocking the tire and see if it moves alot or just a quarter inch. Pull the tire off and check for a dragging brake pad or a gouged rotor.

 

[albany9044]

Tire moves side to side, but not up and down. Also I was able to get the truck on a lift today and all 4 wheels are turning. I removed the transfer case shift motor and the knob points to 2wd. Will post pic in a few minutes

Http://picup.su/img/72308.html

 

[albany9044]

Http://picup.su/img/72308.html

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

I would check your front axle disconnect lever. They have a tendency to stick and not disengage the front axle. If it's not sticking, but still doesn't move when shifted, I would check the vacuum shift solenoids next.

 

[albany9044]

Where is the front axle disconnect lever located?

 

[albany9044]

Update:
spent a few hours working on the truck today, I tested the vacuum line for the 2wd solenoid to the actuator and it had a leak, so I replaced the line and then the 4wd decided to disengage finally, however it wouldn't re engage, which I thought was weird. So me being the idiot I am sometimes, decided to mess with it some more, finally got it to engage into 4wd again, and now I'm right back where I started. Stuck in 4wd. Can't turn the front drive shaft by hand, and when I turn the front wheels the drive shaft turns with it. Which would lead me to believe the hubs aren't disengaging,

 

[albany9044]

Update:

so I found I diagram of the front axle shaft that included front axle disconnect lever so I could inspect it as recommended earlier in the thread. went downstairs to the truck found the lever and pulled it. and sure enough the front drive shaft unlocked. Figured I would put it back in 4 wheel drive then attempt to put it back in 2 wheel drive just to see if it would work a second time and as soon as I manually pulled the lever again, the drive shaft unlocked again. so looks like it's time for a new actuator. As for why it failed my best guess would be an oil leak that was a pre existing condition which found its way on to the front differential and down into the actuator. Although I am definetely no expert, and this is all just my best educated guess, it seems like the most likely scenario. And hopefully this can help someone else in the same situation. And I also will post another update when I replace the actuator to see if I am able to put this to rest finally! It's been 3 very long days and I'm definetely ready to be done with this issue lol. Thanks to all who helped!