Sierra wont go into Low Range?

[mike_nofx]

Hey all.

Just bought a Sierra today, and got a few questions.

I cant seem to get it into Low range, the stubby feels like it is in the right position, but it acts the same as when in neutral (ie, no drive)
What could be the cause, and how can i fix this?

Also, 100km/h seems to be the top speed this little beast can do. My only guess is that its not geared right for the 33's.
What are my options here? I've never played with a 4wd's gearing, so wouldnt know where to start.

Here is what i bought: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=002
I actually got $250 off that price, due to Low range not working.

Apparently it has rock crawler transfer gears, but would its on-road performance show otherwise? Because i cant select Low range, i dont know if they really are.

Last question, It crunches going into 2nd gear (both upshifting and downshifting) is it just a matter of having to replace the gearbox, or is there another fix?

I know i have a bit of work ahead of me, but i can do all the labour myself and have a few spare dollars for repairs.

Any help would be GREAT!

Mike

[ajsr]

check to see that there are no broken tranfer mounts
if you have a body lift check shifter is not hitting trans tunnel
and failing that change rubber shifter sheet/ring just under shifter
all simple things but could be any of them
after that it could be serious
cheers andrew

[Turbo Tonka]

could maybe just not be going right into the lowrange position if it has a body lift????if u say it is just like in neutral...maybe the selector bush is chewed up,easy to replace

looks like a good little truck i was watching it too,your lucky yours does 100,mine doesnt even come close

[zookimal]

Often if the shifter sheet is perished the shifter will come out of the selector rods in the case and won't shift correctly.

More than likely the problem. Need to remove it from the case and realign the rods to where they should be, replace with a new bushing and put the shifter back in.

[just cruizin']

Always a good idea to replace this anyways when you buy a Sierra only $15 - $20.

[ronoor]

dont forget your speedo will be out mine with 32'' 83ks is 100 .cheers ron

[jimbo jones]

looks like a nice little zook I would say look at those bushes first as well

[mike_nofx]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll probably just buy the bush first, then remove it to have a look.
Where is the best place to find info on what to look for once i remove the transfer? I haven't got a whole lot of experience with transfer boxes (well... none) in regards to re-aligning rods and such.

Is the bush something i can just buy from supercheap/repco/auto1??

I also have another theory, but dont know if its possible??
Could the low range gears have been removed by the previous owner? or would it not even run in high range if thats the case?

I had a look this morning (before i read any replies) and i didn't notice the shifter hitting the trans tunnel. I will double check tho.
Weird thing is, it feels like it is locating into position correctly. I can feel it "notch in" from 4H to N, and also from N to 4L position.

With regards to the speedo, I drove home with a GPS (2 hour drive from pick up) and 100 actual Km seems to be 80 or so speedo km.
TurboTonka, it didnt do 100kmh easy, it was a struggle with constant shifting between 5th and 4th whenever there is a small hill. 4th seems to go faster than 5th (5th is like an overdrive?)

Anyway, i have no problem with its top speed! Just its Minimum speed! Didnt buy it for round Australia trips.

Thanks for the replies
Mike

[zookimal]

Mike, indicated 80ish, actual 100kmh would be due to the larger rolling diameter of the tyres. The 33s would be 20-25% larger than the stock 27s, thus the speedo error. Get it into low range and you'll soon know if it has lower transfer gearing fitted already. If it doesn't you'll struggle to turn the 33s and it'll feel like you're always taking off in second gear.

Transfer doesn't need to come out to replace the shifter bush.. You can do it while it's still in the car, accessing it down through the shifter boot. You will need to pull the shift lever up through the floor of the car (after removing the small boot and retainer clip and pushing the shift lever down and rotating it. Further instructions to come)

The shifter sheet/bush looks like this


There are two selector rods that run forward and backwards which you will see down inside the case. One is for 2x4 and 4x4. The other for Hi-Lo. I would say the perished bush has allowed the end of the shifter to come out of the rods. Realign with a long screwdriver etc and reinsert the lever to check if it's sorted it. Shifter sheet is easiest sourced from Suzuki for 15-20 bucks as said above. I doubt any of the chain stores wil keep it on the shelf.

[mike_nofx]

Thanks zookimal!

Will do that next weekend!

[lump_a_charcoal]

Suzispares at seven hills have them for about $15 I think...

[mike_nofx]

I removed shifter boot in car and, lower boot and retaining clip to have a look.

I couldnt really see anything, and i couldnt work out how to remove the lever?

I'll probably just remove the case, and work on it on a bench.

Mike

[lump_a_charcoal]

There is a small rubber boot to remove - Once it is off (slide it all the way off the lever), you should be able to push the part around the shaft down, and turn it at the same time. Once you have turned it far enough (about 1/6th of a full turn) it should pop out, allowing the lever to be removed.

It can be tricky to get the new bush in, but brute force and ignorance did it for me!