4WD selector problem

The 4WD selector on my series 3 doesn't work, it can be pushed down and lifted up without having to select low transfer, added to which there isn't a spring on the lever. Being a completely green LR newby, like a proper tw*t I have just bought the vehicle unaware that the lever shouldn't behave like this.

I have checked the external linkages on the lever and everything is fine right up to the point where it enters the output shaft housing so the fault is obviously internal. I just hope the box is stuck in 2WD and not 4WD, at least I could live with that for the time being. I have found elsewhere on this forum how to check if 4WD is engaged and I will try that tomorrow. (Otherwise I had thought to disconnect the rear propshaft to see if the vehicle would move at all with the front wheels driving. Probably a silly idea, besides which I don't want to run the engine as the water pump is stripped out awaiting the delivery of a replacement)

So now it's question time. I really don't fancy having to remove the entire gearbox to work on it although I am prepared to do that if necessary. What I would like to know is whether it is possible/feasible/advisable to remove just the output shaft housing from the gearbox in situ? Or is it possible to gain some sort of limited but useable access to the 4WD actuating mechanism through the covers on the end of the housing (which I take to be for optional PTO which I don't have) even just to see what's going on in there?

Any advice and tips at all on how to investigate this problem and especially on fixing it will be very gratefully received.

This may be helpful http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f6/seem-stuck-4wd-216376.html#post2441843

First thing to try is pulling up on the yellow know while at the same time pulling the red lever all the way back then all the way forward. There are three positions of the read lever.

At some point there should be a boingy clunk as it pops out of 4wd. You should jack up a wheel at the front and the back first to make sure that your transmission isn't wound up.

Hopefully that's all it is. You can go to pdf Land Rover Manuals | Landroverweb.com, download the parts catalogue and find your spring and associated bits in there. It should be available from either Paddocks or Cradocks.

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Thanks for the replies folks, that is a great thread Blue Beasty.

I have just jacked up the nearside front wheel and found that it freewheels in transfer high, and locks in transfer neutral and low.

I take this to mean that the 4WD is engaging only in low as it is supposed to do, the only remaining problem being that I can't get 4WD in high. The yellow lever has no effect at all on anything.

Incidentally when the front wheel locked (in low/4WD) there was a lot of play, I could turn the wheel about 5 inches of it's circumference if that makes any sense. How much play if any would you expect to see here?

The 4wd selector shafts tend to stick in the casing of the front output section .
If you remover the small cover over the ends of these shafts then spray with release oil give shaft ends a gentle tap as they are spring loaded usually frees them.
Easiest way to get access is to lift drivers floor plate out.

Sometimes pouring a kettle of boiling water over the shafts can melt any solidified grease. They will then need regreasing.

There's usually a good bit of play in the diffs and UJs so probably nothing to worry about. Sounds like you should be ok, nothing broken just needing a bit of attention.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll try those suggestions when I get time.