Vincenza V

I have a FST xfer case linkage for my 231. It didn't come with instructions and I read a few threads, but I'm not sure if I have this thing adjusted correctly, OR if I have a problem with my xfer case.

Symptoms:

Sometimes, its hard to shift from 2wd to 4Hi (231 case again).
Sometimes its hard to shift back from 4Hi to 2wd.
I was in an icy parking lot this morning turning into a parking spot (In 4Hi), at 5mph or so, and then hit dry pavement. I could feel binding in the wheels. I tried to go back to 2wd, but it wouldn't go. Auto transmission in D, and then I tried it in N.

I finally was able to get it back in 2WD. I don't make it a habit of driving in 4wd on pavement (I know its bad, but I was going down a steep, icy hill, turning into a parking spot at a slow rate of speed, so I wasn't expecting a dry patch of pavement at the parking spot)

Even sitting in my driveway, in D, the lever won't always engage in 4Hi.

The prior owner told me "sometimes I put it in 4hi when the roads are wet". He didn't say how often, but even me not knowing anything about 4WD systems, I cringed.

So, here are my questions, lol:

1. How do you adjust the FST linkage properly?
2. What's going on here, any relation between linkage not engaging consistently in 4hi, and the wheel binding?

I recently adjusted my Toe to within 1/16"-1/8" of toe in. I measured it a week ago, but forgot the exact measurement. It's Finals week at school. Brain fried.

cruiser54

No matter the linkage, here's how you shift the transfer case:


Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual.

"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I let off the gas, throw the lever, and then tap the gas and let off.

4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".

Vincenza V

I already do that, thank you though!

I also have a drive line "clunk" when shifting the auto through its gears. Feels like the rear drive shaft area. Has a two year old IRO "front" driveshaft with new u-joint (rear) and the cardamon joint had no play.

Is this maybe related?

Gee oh Dee

How old is the trans mount? That could be an issue.

How old is the tcase fluid? Is it full of clean fluid?

PocketsEmpty

It could be the angle of the linkage rod. You want it to be as perpendicular to the trans/t-case as much as possible. Pull it into 4lo and crawl under and have a look. The best way to adjust it really is trial and error.

Have a look at one of my former contraptions here. In this pic, I extended the shift lever and it is shown in 4lo. Try to forget that heinous extension I did for a moment and pretend that the FST rod is directly connected to the shift lever. You'll see that this would NOT be a good angle at all. If you bolted it up this way, you probably wouldn't be able to shift out of 4lo. That was my experience, but then again I have a 242 which requires extension of the shift lever. I've seen most people with the 231 have had no issues getting it to work without the extension.



FST does sell an adjustable extension bracket now, in fact I want to order one but Lead Foot won't reply to my PM and it says "back order" on the site. One thing I am going to try with my setup is to remove the shift gate under the t-case shifter. That limits your throw. Also, don't forget that the T-case lever has an extra hole to play with. (No dirty jokes!)

Gee oh Dee

I was told 2 weeks when I ordered on the 20th of November....

Now I get no response when asking about a status. Makes me nervous.

Gee oh Dee

I take that back, he said 1 week...


Even more concerned now.

PocketsEmpty

He still hasn't replied to my PM. Since I have the lever out, I'm going to do the extension right this time and drill an extra hole in it.

Vincenza V

Sorry for my delayed response. In finals this week

New tranny mount. Fluid is about a year old, I will check it this weekend. I guess sometimes it the simple things. Though from why I could tell the t-case is dry and hadn't leaked ever. Thanks for the linkage picture. I'll have to compare mine

PocketsEmpty

Here's version 3 that I just hooked up last night. Not the strongest because I only had that piece of angle iron lying around, but it works. It's a real pain to set this kind of linkage up when you have a 242!

Vincenza V

PocketsEmpty-Is that a FST kit as well? I like the idea for your extension. Simple...

Omnipotent Octopus

Did you ever get your kit? lol. I am wanting to order this but I see horrible reviews everywhere about FST..

Gee oh Dee

I did. Last week...too months.