1354? Transfercase actuator

[Road2Rage]

I can see how these transfer cases and hair loss are similar.
I think I have a 1354 TC. I have an 1997 Explorer XL 4.0 OHV.
A great mechanic friend of mine diagnosed a TC problem I was having, as being the "actuator". (Mounted externally on the TC) What happens is, when I put it in reverse in "AUTO" or "4H", many times I lose the gear (it won`t move/accelerate), I hear a grinding sound, but not like gears grinding. Also, in I can lose the gear when driving forward in drive. What seems to NOT happen is, when I put it in 4Low, I have all gears, forward and reverse 100% of the time.
He said the actuator is sticking and the TC isn`t sure where it`s suppose to be. If this makes sense, can anyone tell me how to remove this? The part I believe it is, almost resembles a power-window motor at the rear of the TC on the drivers side. I don`t know for sure what TC I have or what the part is called even:s Any help or pics would be very much appreciated. It would be nice to find someone in Calgary, Alberta that could school me a bit on these SUVs.:yelexp:

 

[IZwack]

Look for the shift motor rebuild, its a Sticky in this Transmission and Transfercase sub-forum.

Also, you have a 4405, not a 1354.

 

[Four0Sport]

had a similar problem in my sisters 96 explorer, when in 2hi or 4hi or 4auto the truck would not move in gear forward or reverse. when in 4Lo had all forward gears and reverse. ended up being the chain in the TC. for the price of a rebuild (that I couldnt do myself) it was actually cheaper to buy a used TC and just replace it.

 

[Road2Rage]

had a similar problem in my sisters 96 explorer, when in 2hi or 4hi or 4auto the truck would not move in gear forward or reverse. when in 4Lo had all forward gears and reverse. ended up being the chain in the TC. for the price of a rebuild (that I couldnt do myself) it was actually cheaper to buy a used TC and just replace it.

You have no idea how much I hope you`re wrong

 

[Road2Rage]

Look for the shift motor rebuild, its a Sticky in this Transmission and Transfercase sub-forum.

Also, you have a 4405, not a 1354.

Cool. I`m going to try to find it now. Thanks for the info!

 

[Four0Sport]

well when my sister first called me and said she didnt hear the transmission engage in gear and when she gave it gas it just sat there i thought it was the transmission.. WAY WAY more troublesom/expensive than a transfer case. I think I paid 250 for the one I bought through my friends at the local yard, normal price is $400. It might be the shift motor.. but i think if it was the motor you wouldnt have 4Lo either. I could be wrong though, give the thread some time, more people will chime in.

but to me.. i think the grinding noise youre hearing is the chain. hers made a racket when it went out.

 

[Road2Rage]

well when my sister first called me and said she didnt hear the transmission engage in gear and when she gave it gas it just sat there i thought it was the transmission.. WAY WAY more troublesom/expensive than a transfer case. I think I paid 250 for the one I bought through my friends at the local yard, normal price is $400. It might be the shift motor.. but i think if it was the motor you wouldnt have 4Lo either. I could be wrong though, give the thread some time, more people will chime in.

but to me.. i think the grinding noise youre hearing is the chain. hers made a racket when it went out.

Worse case scenario...I`ll try to find a used one. SUV parts are pricey up here, especially when we have a foot of snow or more. Funny how that happens. I will keep the XL if it`s only the TC, but if it`s a transmission...I`ll probably get rid of it. I wish I knew 100% which it was. I`ll keep checking back here like you suggested. Thanks for the input...thinking about it..it does sound like a noise a chain would make

 

[Four0Sport]

like a bunch of clicks or ratchets? thats how hers sounded. you couldnt hear the the transmission engage in a gear bc there was no link to the rear driveshaft with that chain being busted. i never thought to try it in 4Lo bc i was confident it was the trans, but when we had it towed to a garage we deal with alot the owner jumped in, put it in 4Lo and drove it around. big big relief.

 

[IZwack]

had a similar problem in my sisters 96 explorer, when in 2hi or 4hi or 4auto the truck would not move in gear forward or reverse. when in 4Lo had all forward gears and reverse. ended up being the chain in the TC. for the price of a rebuild (that I couldnt do myself) it was actually cheaper to buy a used TC and just replace it.

I'm leaning towards a misdiagnosis in your situation. The chain can only stop the shift from HI to LO range (and visa versa) if it was broken and lodged itself in the planetary set or the shift fork mechanism.

like a bunch of clicks or ratchets? thats how hers sounded. you couldnt hear the the transmission engage in a gear bc there was no link to the rear driveshaft with that chain being busted. i never thought to try it in 4Lo bc i was confident it was the trans, but when we had it towed to a garage we deal with alot the owner jumped in, put it in 4Lo and drove it around. big big relief.

Again be careful about diagnosis -- the link to the rear driveshaft is not influenced by the chain unless the chain is broken. In addition, the 1354 that you have is about 40% different from the original poster's 4405.

Getting back to the original problem, I would first remove the shift motor and try to turn the shift rail with a set of pliers (this has been covered a few times, so mabye try searching). If the shift rail goes back to the "4H" position (there is no "AUTO" label on the transfer case as this is purely an electromagnetic change, no shift motor involved), then the problem is the shift motor.
Alternatively, you can unbolt the shift motor but leave it electrically connected. Then you can rotate the switch on the dash to different positions and see if the shift motor changes positions. If it rotates, then the problem is inside the transfer case. If it doesnt rotate, then the problem is the shift motor or something upstream of the shift motor.

 

[Road2Rage]

like a bunch of clicks or ratchets? thats how hers sounded. you couldnt hear the the transmission engage in a gear bc there was no link to the rear driveshaft with that chain being busted. i never thought to try it in 4Lo bc i was confident it was the trans, but when we had it towed to a garage we deal with alot the owner jumped in, put it in 4Lo and drove it around. big big relief.

So if the chain is going, (It`s not gone because it does it randomly), 4Low will work in reverse and all forward gears? I`m confuzzled lol
It sounds like a loud high speed buzzing and when I put it in neutral, I coast and hear it slow down and then stop. I can then(usually) put it back in drive and just go. I just talked to my friend and he said the chain won`t give you a warning, it just goes.

 

[gijoecam]

like a bunch of clicks or ratchets? thats how hers sounded. you couldnt hear the the transmission engage in a gear bc there was no link to the rear driveshaft with that chain being busted. i never thought to try it in 4Lo bc i was confident it was the trans, but when we had it towed to a garage we deal with alot the owner jumped in, put it in 4Lo and drove it around. big big relief.

The fact that engaging 4low lets it drive tells me it's a transfer case issue, specifically with the low range gears. In high range, there is a direct link to the rear output... the chain has nothing to do with it.

So if the chain is going, (It`s not gone because it does it randomly), 4Low will work in reverse and all forward gears? I`m confuzzled lol
It sounds like a loud high speed buzzing and when I put it in neutral, I coast and hear it slow down and then stop. I can then(usually) put it back in drive and just go. I just talked to my friend and he said the chain won`t give you a warning, it just goes.

My money is on the infamous (and ever-more-common) transfer case shift rail bore issue. Omega Machine sells re-bushed case halves that can remedy the problem, but unless you plan to keep it for a good long while, a rebuilt or gently used t-case is in order.

Unfortunately, for a 97 44-05 t-case, it's not going to be easy, simple, fun, or cheap. The only direct bolt-in replacement for a 97 t-case is another 97 t-case. If you're looking at used cases, yours needs to have the front drive flange for the CV joint front driveshaft (not the u-joint flange) and it must have the vehicle speed sensor on the rear output at the back of the housing.

A 95-96 case will have the speed sensor, but the wrong front output.

A 98-01 case will have the correct front output, but will lack the speed sensor.

It is possible to hybridize the case using your old rear case half, but if it's the shift rail bore issue as I suspect it is, then there's no point... the problem will probably return in short order.

Hope that wasn't too much info...

-Joe

edit: Forgot to mention... follow IZ's lead on this one... I agree he's on the right track.

 

[Road2Rage]

Hope that wasn't too much info...

-Joe
---------------
No. Not to much info..just expensive info. lol
Now how do I tell if it`s a 4405 or a 1354?

 

[gijoecam]

Three ways:

1) Check the big ol' sticker on the side of the case. usually it says on there (if the sticker is there and legible)
2) Check the metal tag on the t-case.
3) If it's the original transfer case on a 97, trust that Ford never installed anything other than a 44-05 from '95 to '01 behind an Explorer with a V-6.

 

[Road2Rage]

Three ways:

1) Check the big ol' sticker on the side of the case. usually it says on there (if the sticker is there and legible)
2) Check the metal tag on the t-case.
3) If it's the original transfer case on a 97, trust that Ford never installed anything other than a 44-05 from '95 to '01 behind an Explorer with a V-6.

Okay...a 44-05 it is then.

 

[Four0Sport]

Again be careful about diagnosis -- the link to the rear driveshaft is not influenced by the chain unless the chain is broken. In addition, the 1354 that you have is about 40% different from the original poster's 4405.

the vehicle I am referring to in my replies is a 96 explorer 4wd, which is not a 1354.

thanks for the the re-diagnosis of the problem with my vehicle, i am glad though that both diagnosiseseses are for a used t-case, now i know i didnt get shafted at the mechanic, well that my sister didnt get shafted, it is her vehicle.

 

[IZwack]

the vehicle I am referring to in my replies is a 96 explorer 4wd, which is not a 1354.

Ah ko, well please pardon my mistake.

 

[Four0Sport]

no no no.. its ok, i should have clarified more. i value your guys opinions too much to let that bother me lol

 

[410Fortune]

has anyone replaced a 4405 with a 1354 e shift??????


I have a 97 sploder 4405 case on its way out
plan to use a 2004 Ranger 1354 t case, has the CV style front d shaft already

will it bolt up?
has anyone done a 4405 to 1354 converison?

 

[IZwack]

has anyone replaced a 4405 with a 1354 e shift??????


I have a 97 sploder 4405 case on its way out
plan to use a 2004 Ranger 1354 t case, has the CV style front d shaft already

will it bolt up?
has anyone done a 4405 to 1354 converison?

This thread has some info:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2083049#post2083049