So I replaced all the bushings in my shift linkage and in the 4wd linkage today. What a difference that makes. I used to have to throw the stick all the way over to the passenger side to catch a higher gear. Now it's nice and tight. However, I took it for a spin and I can't get it out of 4wd. I ran out of time today, but I'll do an inspection tomorrow to try to figure out what's up. Does anybody have a good idea of what my be going on? Just to be clear, I completely disconnected the shift and 4wd linkages in order to replace the bushings. I'm not exactly sure how the linkage connection to the transfer case works, so I'm hoping that this may have happened to somebody before. Thanks.

You could check the vacuum lines for the 4WD actuator. I know on my 91 loyale the vacuum line became disconnected beside the passenger strut tower. As soon as I hooked it back up i was able to disengage 4WD. If thats not the case then I cannot offer any more help. Good luck

Thanks zagarus. I'll look at that tomorrow, though I doubt that's it because I wasn't near that area. But again, I'll look. I was thinking that something may have become disconnected near where the linkage enters the transfer case.

Just my 2cents, i had my vacuum lines mixed up where they connect to the tranny, so i swapped them back. Also had it messed up with the heater control unit area. Those darn vacuum lines.

Lets clarify which transmission you have.

 

4speed or 5speed?

 

dual range 4wd or Single range 4wd?

 

Pushbutton or lever activated 4WD?

5 spd manual, dual range lever actuated. Rust in Peace-how appropriate for a subie junkie!

Best album of all time.

 

Ok, so since its lever activated we can forget what people are saying with the vacuum lines.

 

Is the lever stuck in the up position??

Yeah, it's stuck in the up position. I had to put the lever in that position to get the console pieces and rubber boots out of the way so that I could get the the linkage bushings.

Cool. It was an easy fix. I like that! There was a clearance issue between two moving parts of the linkage. I'll post back with more explanation once I get some pics uploaded to Flickr.

I looked under the shift boot and noticed that I had a bolt inserted backwards. The bolt head had a low profile but the threaded end and nut were much too long to allow the 4wd linkage to move. I posted pics on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmm741/sets/72157622733373513/. Thanks to all for the advice.

 

Rust in Peace is indeed a great album but I'm not sure if it is the best ever. It would be in my top 10 though. I always put Metal Church-Metal Church in the top three. Relatively unkown but awesome.