4wd shift actuator

[sm_lawrenceplus]

well, found out the hard way that the 4wd vaccum shift motor( shift actuator) was bad. check al vaccum, and finally saw that the shift rod was bent. obviously from a bad shift. anyone know where to get a good unit? Was also wondering how often these things go bad. accually thinking of machining up a aluminum rebuildable unit.

[dstang97]

I just got one from Rock auto. 68 dollars. you can also get a posi lock one.

[ykdave]

i would suggest spending your money on a posilok or making a home brew posilok (theirs a few threads around here on it)

Its actually quite common for the CAD to fail. Its a pretty rinky-dink setup, even when its 'fully' engaged, its barely engaging the splines. So pretty much the first time it sees power while partially engaged it spits the collar off the splines, which pushes the fork and bends the shaft.

[blackimpala]

Not common in my world. 200K miles still the original CAD. With that said they do go bad,when mine dose I will go with the posi-loc cable.

Floyd

[bob95065]

I had the same problem you did. My shift rod was bent and the diaphram was leaking. I went to pick-and-pull and brought my vacuum tester with me. All Dodge 4x4 trucks used these actuators. I found a really nice on on a 1500 that I brought home for $15. I tested it in the yard so I knew I had a good one. The truck shifts into 4x4 better than ever now.

I kept my old actuator in case I go the posi-lock route. If I do I'll mod the old actuator. I am also considering the Ford hub conversion which will get me conical bearings (no more unit bearings), locking hubs (no more CAD), and dual-piston calipers (better braking). I haven't decided whether or not I will do that conversion yet.

[ykdave]

x2

you will find them on all 4x4 dodges up until the 3rd gens when they started using AAM axles and ditched the CAD setup.

You might even try the older jeeps as they used a CAD too, but being D30/d35 axles it may be a whole different (smaller)unit, but worth a shot