Help Solving a Problem

[blonde1boarder]

So I'm driving down a snow covered road the other day in 4WD when all of a sudden my car slides to a stop from 30 mph. The car stalls and when I turn it back on, will still not move in 4WD. I switch to 2WD and the car drives fine. Trying to figure out what the problem is. Vehicle is a 97 5-speed with the J transfer case shifter.

When in 2WD I cant spin the front driveshaft and I thought that I should be able to. Also it looks like the front differential was pretty low on fluid.

Any input on whether you think it's the transfer case/ front differential would be greatly appreciated.

 

[FancyPantsMcGee]

in park, in 2wd; you should be able to spin your front drive shaft. it sounds like your front diff is locked up. hard to say what is causing it without taking it apart.

 

[02SE]

So I'm driving down a snow covered road the other day in 4WD when all of a sudden my car slides to a stop from 30 mph. The car stalls and when I turn it back on, will still not move in 4WD. I switch to 2WD and the car drives fine. Trying to figure out what the problem is. Vehicle is a 97 5-speed with the J transfer case shifter.

When in 2WD I cant spin the front driveshaft and I thought that I should be able to. Also it looks like the front differential was pretty low on fluid.

Any input on whether you think it's the transfer case/ front differential would be greatly appreciated.

Have you checked the gear oil in the T-case? I'm guessing it's okay since the 'Runner still drives fine in 2wd with no apparent noises from the T-case, since you didn't mention any.

I'd say it's your differential. When in 2wd, your driveshaft from the T-case to the front diff should spin free.

When in 2wd while driving down the road, the drivers side CV axle shaft spins the side gears and spider gears in the differential, but the ring and pinion gears stay stationary. The passenger side CV axle shaft just spins the disconnected part of the ADD.

I'm going to say your pinion bearing was probably starved for lubrication due to the diff drop, and seized.