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Dana 18 Hard to Shift

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by wlirio, Mar 27, 2008.

  1. Mar 27, 2008
    wlirio

    wlirio Member

    West Palm Beach, FL
    Joined:
    May 6, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    The Dana 18 TCase on my 1961 CJ-5 is very hard to shift.
    In order to go from 2wd to 4wd or 4wd H to 4wd L I have to hit it with my fist or use lots of force.
    Is there any place I need to grease it up or will it be something internal? I have checked the fluid and it looks good.
     
    wlirio, Mar 27, 2008
    #1
  2. Mar 27, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    when I first got the 6 my D18 hi/lo was stuck in low....sprayed a bunch of degreaser on the linkage, and then pried it into hi from underneath w/ a BIG screwdriver. After that I cycled from hi to low a bunch and it loosen up.....did the same w/ the 2w/4w lever. worked for me YMMV
    Jim S.
     
    bkd, Mar 27, 2008
    #2
  3. Mar 27, 2008
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,474
    Usually hard Tcase shifting has to do with the pivot at the top or the detent balls inside. I had one that looked like somone put rusty jelly in the detent area.
     
    Warloch, Mar 27, 2008
    #3
  4. Mar 27, 2008
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Another cause can be gunk build up on the shift rods that has hardened and make it really difficult for the rails to move through the seals...

    Do you know about driveline bind, and backing up about 6 ft to shift out of 4WD and back to 2WD... ??
     
    lynn, Mar 27, 2008
    #4
  5. Mar 27, 2008
    wlirio

    wlirio Member

    West Palm Beach, FL
    Joined:
    May 6, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    No not at all since this is my first CJ. I have been trying to shift it while parked in my driveway. I am going to take it to a test run Sunday out on trails.
     
    wlirio, Mar 27, 2008
    #5
  6. Mar 29, 2008
    Eric-69-CJ5

    Eric-69-CJ5 New Member

    Glorious Logan Utah
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2003
    Messages:
    20
    The linkage rods are my vote. Do a rebuild and pull the rods and chuck them in a lathe/drill/mill and spin them for a minute against very fine emery paper soaked in a thin oil. Some cleaning and polish can make all the shifting difference in the world.
     
    Eric-69-CJ5, Mar 29, 2008
    #6
  7. Mar 29, 2008
    wlirio

    wlirio Member

    West Palm Beach, FL
    Joined:
    May 6, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    I sprayed WD40 on the linkage and it got a bit better. I would say 50% better.
     
    wlirio, Mar 29, 2008
    #7
  8. Mar 30, 2008
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    2,084
    i used to use a small amount of gear oil on my single stick linkage. i also polished up the rods that stick out with some fine emory paper and lubed them with the oil as well.
     
    66cj5, Mar 30, 2008
    #8
  9. Mar 30, 2008
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,540
    It will shift in and out of 4WD a lot easier if you are rolling. It will also tend to bind if you are a hard surface ie: your driveway.
     
    Posimoto, Mar 30, 2008
    #9
  10. Mar 30, 2008
    gasman

    gasman Member

    mariposa calif...
    Joined:
    May 13, 2007
    Messages:
    61
    There is a grease zerk onthe pivot shaft access is a small door on passenger floor board.
     
    gasman, Mar 30, 2008
    #10
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