1945 willys jeep front axle drive stuck

[skapunkninja]

Hi all.

i have bought a jeep for restoration, and the only major fault i can find with it is that i cant disengage the front axle drive. The gearstick wont budge at all.

Has anyone had any experience with this fault? got any ideas/solutions?

 

I've never driven a willys before, so i might not even be doing it right! is there a trick to it?

 

im a mechanic by trade, so its no problem to remove the gearbox if needed, but i dont really want to if it can be avoided

[Nick Johns]

It maybe just the transmission has wound up it its been driven or towed in 4wd, if so you won't be able to move the lever, try jacking up a front wheel to release any windup,

Edited September 1, 2010 by Nick Johns

[skapunkninja]

thanks nick. It has been towed, so that could be it! Im away for a week, but i'll give it a go when i get home

[melchy]

never really played around with those bits but if I remember correctly, low ratio may only be engaged while in 4 wheel drive, therefore if it's in low ratio, change it to high ratio and the 4WD should disengage. another possibility for you to look at and let us know how you get on

[Tony B]

It may take a fair run backwards to unwind though.

[Richard Farrant]

It may take a fair run backwards to unwind though.

 

Easier to jack one wheel up to unwind.

[Tony B]

I was told back in the horse and cart days, always reverse for a few feet before diconnecting the four wheel drive anytime it was used. That was on my old Gipsy. When you jack the wheel up, does it unwind itself or do you need to assist?

[Richard Farrant]

I was told back in the horse and cart days, always reverse for a few feet before diconnecting the four wheel drive anytime it was used. That was on my old Gipsy. When you jack the wheel up, does it unwind itself or do you need to assist?

 

As soon as weight is released off the tyre it will release on its own.

[skapunkninja]

it worked!!!

jacked up the front end, and the front wheels spun backwards. lowered it off the jack, and it came straight out of 4wd. Thanks for your help everyone

[Tony B]

Bloody hell we got summink right!! :yay::dancinggirls:Hope any other problems are as easy to fix! :-D Just run a couple of feet backwards before disengaing 4x4.

[Degsy]

Bloody hell we got summink right!! :yay::dancinggirls:Hope any other problems are as easy to fix! :-D Just run a couple of feet backwards before disengaing 4x4.

 

What's this 'we', Nick Johns got it right in the first reply, you only jumped on the bandwagon as usual.:n00b: