1998 Transfer Case Actuator Questions

[JayT]

The transfer case actuator on my '98 Limited is not working. After removing it and disassembling it, I now have a questions. I pulled the larger geared wheel from the inside before marking it's position. It was very gummed up with grease and looked nothing like it does in these pictures. Now I'm wondering what position to set it at for re-installation.

I'm also wondering about the correct part number for a replacement. I've seen various similar actuators but I haven't spotted this same one online anywhere. You'll note that it has only one sensor where most I've seen have two.

I'm guessing it might be Toyota PN 36410-35040, but I would like to verify this if possible. And if anybody has a lead on an exact replacement, better yet!

Attached are a few photos of what I have.

Thanks in advance for any help!

JayT

Shared album - Jay Thompson - Google Photos

Shared album - Jay Thompson - Google Photos

Shared album - Jay Thompson - Google Photos

 

[rickmum]

Images not working but I'm extremely, extremely interested in what the people say. I'm on my 3rd ****ing transfer case on my 98 limited and I'm facing the exact same issue time and time again.
Those who say throw a Jshift in there, I would if I could lol.

 

[JayT]

I created links to the photos, I hope that work.

rickmum, are you on your 3rd transfer case or 3rd transfer case actuator?

 

[JayT]

Here's the closest reference I've found yet on YouTube. This guy is working on a '99 and his TC actuator has the two sensors, but the inner inner geared wheel I referenced looks the same.

99 limited 4runner transfercase actuator timing - YouTube

 

[rickmum]

3rd case.
My shop says the actuator is timed and they can't be bother with pulling it.
They'd rather replace the whole case and I've found a couple locally for cheap so it was easy enough to bring them one when mined crapped out.
Every time they said it was the actuator that was failing.
I have my last case sitting here but haven't pulled it apart to see what's going on in that thing yet.

 

[calimobber]

I went through this will ordeal a few years ago. I flooded mine and it rusted so I removed it and tried cleaning everything. When I resinstalled it was always wrong. I tried everything I could and never got it back to the right setting. I would click the 4wd and it would spin but be the wrong amount.

After messing with it on and off for a month or two i gave up lol. I just picked up a whole new transfer case with a untouched acutuator and swapped it. In order to remove the acuator you have to split the case and that seemed more than I wanted to deal with. My junk yard one was like $250 or something and everything has been great since.


I see you have yours removed already, I wonder if its easy then the 2001/2002 i cant remember.


Sorry for not having the answers, Im not sure why its so weird.

 

[NJ-4Runner]

Here's the closest reference I've found yet on YouTube. This guy is working on a '99 and his TC actuator has the two sensors, but the inner inner geared wheel I referenced looks the same.

99 limited 4runner transfercase actuator timing - YouTube

3rd case.
My shop says the actuator is timed and they can't be bother with pulling it.
They'd rather replace the whole case and I've found a couple locally for cheap so it was easy enough to bring them one when mined crapped out.
Every time they said it was the actuator that was failing.
I have my last case sitting here but haven't pulled it apart to see what's going on in that thing yet.

I went through this will ordeal a few years ago. I flooded mine and it rusted so I removed it and tried cleaning everything. When I resinstalled it was always wrong. I tried everything I could and never got it back to the right setting. I would click the 4wd and it would spin but be the wrong amount.

After messing with it on and off for a month or two i gave up lol. I just picked up a whole new transfer case with a untouched acutuator and swapped it. In order to remove the acuator you have to split the case and that seemed more than I wanted to deal with. My junk yard one was like $250 or something and everything has been great since.


I see you have yours removed already, I wonder if its easy then the 2001/2002 i cant remember.


Sorry for not having the answers, Im not sure why its so weird.

Nobody has tried to rig up some kind of manual cable system?