Thanks to this reminder I engage mine every month, however this time although the lights stop blinking when engaged the beeping sound when engaging is no longer excistent. Any ideas where to start checking?

Sorry for the late response.

No need to check for the beeping no longer existent. No beeping is normal!
Not sure what was happening to you before but beeping only occurs to warn you that something isn't right. Everything seems right for you now. You might want to review how you are engaging and disengaging the 4x4 features as outlined elsewhere in the owner's manual or on the forums.

So how far do you guys run your systems each month? Living in the city, the hardest part is finding a gravel lot or dirt road nearby to test montly.

The engaging and disengaging portion is the most important part. I don't take it off road to do mine. I just don't turn the wheel very hard when I have the differential locked.

I just do it on the top floor ramp of my parking garage (which is usually pretty empty since it's open to the elements). Engage 4Lo, drive down the ramp. Turn around. Lock the diff, drive a few yards up the ramp. Reset all to default. Park it.

Ever since I replaced my actuator I am religious about this haha. One thing I noticed it how the 4lo you can hear click\slide into place but the diff lock is completely silent

Need Help!!
 

Hey Guys,
New to the forum. Really enjoying reading all the threads. I come to you today in need of assistance :help: . I have the 2007 Sport V6 4x4 and fear I may have the dreaded 4wd actuator problem. Experiencing all the normal symptoms, blinking lights, beeps, won't engage, etc. With tax season coming up, I am considering getting it fixed. I rarely go off-road other than a few camping/kayaking trips a year (waiting til its paid off), but am worried if I let this linger it could cause transmission problems down the road. Anyway, any insight you can provide to my questions below is appreciated. Thanks guys!!

What can I expect to pay for this repair? Quoted 2500 at the stealership....

Any recommendations for repair in the Atlanta area?

If I do not get it repaired, will it cause other transmission problems?

Bonus Question: Tire recommendations. Prefer a highway tire, but somewhat more aggressive tread pattern than your traditional HT...??? I have stock suspension and no lift.....


Apologies in advance if there are similar threads already, I had a tough time trying to find the right one......

The act of engaging/disengaging the actuator is sufficient to keep the actuator from "freezing" up. Driving has no effect on the actuator gears. But, driving it is more fun. Right! I normally just engage the CDL and 4LO in my driveway or parking lot.

The actuator issue will in no way impact your transmission.

Before I dropped a lot of cash on fixing it, I'd just keep trying to engage it regularly for a while. Mine wouldn't go into 4LO for the first few months after I bought it but I kept trying. One day it jumped in to 4LO and I haven't had any problems since. Others, but not all, have had the same success.

I agree.
Keep trying and eventually it might work. There are posts out there from those it worked for. Some have also had to lightly tap the actuator with a hammer.
Search the threads.
Once it works, make sure to regularly exercise it.
Good luck.

Do eet nao!!!!!
 

Just your friendly reminder. Start flexing those actuator muscles before the big old storm! Would suck to realize your 4X4 doesn't work when it's time to play in the snow!

Damn right! Our county is under a "Blizzard Watch".

I am not sure if this has been mentioned, but I notice the "shift into 4x4 on the fly" works best when the drivetrain is nice and hot (after about a 20 min drive). For those of you who notice slow engagement, try that! When everything is nice and hot, the "neutral" method seems to work a lot faster as well.

Everyone in the storms path: Be safe!

Bahaha, was just getting ready to say with 18" coming my way, I might actually need 4lo.
I was wonder if someone could educate me on how exercising the system helps the actuator it's self. I know that it has its own grease installed. Does it also get lubrication from the fluid in the case?

Edumacation for you
 

These actuators are known to seize up and stop working from long periods of non use. This forum has many threads of the actuator failing followed by an expensive repair or losing 4X4. This is why this thread was started. The warmer the weather the better it functions probably due to the grease inside being able to move easier. I have found that flipping the switch when cold the old runner is pretty slow to engage the 4Hi or 4lo. As @CookieRoe stated after a good drive of 20 mins or so makes it less stubborn. I don't think it get lube from the transfer case.

Correct. The actuator has a series of plastic gears that engage 4x4. It is lubed by what seems like white lithium grease. Isn't there a better grease to use since this type of lubrication tends to dry over time???

Anyway, the transfer case is a completely different animal, it requires 75w90 oil in it (differential oil).