Won't shift to 4Lo, does loosening the actuator help?

[bytemaster0]

I recently upgraded from a 2002 4runner to a 2008 4runner SR5 V6 4WD. I realize there are dozens of threads on the famed "Won't shift into 4Lo" problem, and that someone has posted a solution, including "loosening" the 4Lo actuator bolts, and moving it back and forth while switching back and forth from 4Hi to 4Lo. My vehicle has this problem, and I knew it going in to the sale, with the hopes that it would either eventually work, or that I could try one of these methods.

My question is, has anyone ever successfully freed their stuck 4Lo actuator by loosening the bolts and moving it around as it attempts to shift? Does any gear or other oil come out when those bolts are loosened, or is there a sealing mechanism that prevents that? The car has 120k miles on it, and the lady that owned it probably never, ever used 4Lo. The car is in nearly perfect shape, as almost all the miles were highway. I just really want to be informed before I try doing this. Thanks!

 

[jimithing]

Not that I've seen posted. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened but the most proven method seems to be a couple of gentle taps on the actuator while it's trying to switch into 4WD.

 

[bytemaster0]

Not that I've seen posted. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened but the most proven method seems to be a couple of gentle taps on the actuator while it's trying to switch into 4WD.

I was thinking of the results shown in this post: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/62382-new-guy-fixed-4lo-my-runner.html

I was curious about the specifics, and if anyone else had tried it, as nobody seemed to have posted other attempts. Would really like to get 4Lo working, 4Hi works flawlessly.

 

[scojoe]

Try the hammer trick first for sure. If you loosen and then it leaks you are looking at a rather expensive fix

 

[bytemaster0]

Try the hammer trick first for sure. If you loosen and then it leaks you are looking at a rather expensive fix

I used a rubber mallet, but I didn't hit it hard at all, just barely, as I feel very skittish about striking such components, even though I'm sure they can take quite a beating. Perhaps I will try a deadblow hammer, which is what people seem to recommend, and with more force this time - I really want this to work! Any other recommendations?

 

[ekin]

Need to replace parts,

 

[NJshadow93]

Just curious, how much money did you get knocked off the sale knowing the 4LO didn't engage?

 

[bytemaster0]

Just curious, how much money did you get knocked off the sale knowing the 4LO didn't engage?

Bought it $5k below bluebook - I had my eye on the car for a bit, and once it had been on the lot for about 160 days, I made the purchase. Funny thing, the dealer offered a 50/50 "warranty" on the car, which included drivetrain. I told them that this was drivetrain, but he said they weren't going to put any more money into it. They were already selling it for considerably less than they had given the previous owner for the trade-in price. So, even with a repair bill, I'd come out pretty nicely in the green on this one, but I'd rather see if a hammer works.

 

[txst]

I had this issue with my 2003 4Runner. I tried the switch probably 100 times tapping it with a hammer with no luck. I loosed the actuator bolts and tried it another 20 times or so (also tapping it with a hammer) and it eventually freed up.

I don't know if it was because I loosened the actuator or if it would have eventually have started working anyway, but regardless, all is good now.

 

[bytemaster0]

I had this issue with my 2003 4Runner. I tried the switch probably 100 times tapping it with a hammer with no luck. I loosed the actuator bolts and tried it another 20 times or so (also tapping it with a hammer) and it eventually freed up.

I don't know if it was because I loosened the actuator or if it would have eventually have started working anyway, but regardless, all is good now.

Excellent, great to know, a couple of questions though, how much did you loosen the bolts, how much did you move it, and did it leak at all? Did you need to replace anything? Thanks for your feedback!

 

[bytemaster0]

Based on information that I've read in the V8 actuator thread, and a few other threads, I'm getting ready to try to fix my actuator tomorrow afternoon - I'm simply asking for feedback or recommendations - specifics, if possible that might help me as I try this tomorrow.

To summarize: 2Hi to 4Hi works perfectly. 4Hi to 4Lo does not shift. I can hear my 4Lo actuator moving; the motor doesn't sound seized at all. It just won't finish the shifting procedure. (You can hear it running continuously for 3-4 seconds, followed by intermittent movement attempts every 0.5 seconds until the switch is set back to 4Hi.) From this, I surmise that the hammer trick won't work, as that's designed to get the actuator motor and gears moving again. I suspect that the sticking point is inside the transfer case, where the actual gear ratio is changed.

My course of action: As I believe the hammer trick won't really do much here, I'm going to loosen the bolts that connect the actuator to the transfer case, so as to allow for 1.0" of play, as I don't want to risk damaging the seal. The seal, as far as I can see, is in good shape - I don't have any leaks. After allowing for 1" of play, I will extend the actuator, seeing if it can reach all the way. Once this happens, I will try to push the whole assembly toward the transfer case to see if I can manually apply enough pressure to cause it to engage. If that doesn't work, I'll keep trying different combinations.

I had thought of opening up the actuator housing, while it is still attached to the transfer case - will the components stay in place if I do so? I'm not sure if there's any benefit to doing so, but I suppose I can try it.

So, does anyone have suggestions? Tips? I would really love to get this thing working again.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There's pictures and explaination on what a member did to dissasemble his transfer case actuator without removing it from the transfer case.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/80283-2004-v8-4x4-actuator-replacement-2.html

 

[bytemaster0]

There's pictures and explaination on what a member did to dissasemble his transfer case actuator without removing it from the transfer case.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/80283-2004-v8-4x4-actuator-replacement-2.html

Thank you, I saw that disassembly, but I hope I won't need to go that far - I'm pretty sure that the sticking point is within the transfer case itself, as the motor seems, from the sound of it anyway, to be moving just fine. I believe that the disassembly pics were related to 1.) the need to replace the seal and 2.) seized gears - fortunately, I don't have either problem - it just won't finish the actuation process for whatever reason, and I'm assuming the problem is in the transfer case itself.

 

[DC runner]

And to think positive. I think the general consensus is the sticking is caused by the fact that 99% of people who bought these new, never touched 4lo.

This means, why it is irritating... you will likley also be able to go full life without the need. This is, of course, assuming you don't do serious wheeling. In any road situation. Ice/Snow, gravel to the cabin.. for all purposes, 4hi.

I say this only to help. If you can't unstick it and don't want to tackle it yourself or pay someone. I know how irritating it can be to know something doesn't work.. but sometimes you can rationally decrease the mental anguish.

 

[bytemaster0]

And to think positive. I think the general consensus is the sticking is caused by the fact that 99% of people who bought these new, never touched 4lo.

This means, why it is irritating... you will likley also be able to go full life without the need. This is, of course, assuming you don't do serious wheeling. In any road situation. Ice/Snow, gravel to the cabin.. for all purposes, 4hi.

I say this only to help. If you can't unstick it and don't want to tackle it yourself or pay someone. I know how irritating it can be to know something doesn't work.. but sometimes you can rationally decrease the mental anguish.

Agreed, that's how I've been dealing with it so far - I just really don't want to have a part in the car that doesn't work. I really would like to have 4Lo available.

 

[NJshadow93]

I used 4LO in the snow one time...14 inches of packed, icy snow. Backing up a buddy's driveway and 4HI didn't cut it. Kept spinning tires. 4LO got me right out of it. I would hate to lose that

 

[subspd]

Anyone got a picture of the actuator to tap on? Never mind found this link... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/131692-four-wheel-low-4l-actuator-location.html

 

[ryankokesh]

Agreed, that's how I've been dealing with it so far - I just really don't want to have a part in the car that doesn't work. I really would like to have 4Lo available.

Any info on how this went? In the same situation as you, trying to figure out if a v8 in this situation is worth buying...

thanks!

 

[RUN-4-LIFE]

Just had my 07 fixed for this exact problem... almost $3200 at dealer with rental for almost two weeks.. They had to do it twice because the first new actuator they put in was defective... only had the truck 2 months, purchased extended warranty.. just paid for itself twice. good luck