Gold4x4

Is it normal to feel resistance and binding of gears when shifting into L or H, when regular shifter is in neutral? One Lexus dealer technician said no, a different Lexus dealer said yes, and a 20-year private transmission shop technician said yes; the "yes" technicians said its because the gears are not synchronized and will grind and bind a little when shifting into L or H on the 4 wheel drive shifter. Car is a 2007 GX 470 and runs great. Thank you.

IanB2

Are you stopped when shifting the transfer case, or are you trying to do it while still moving?

Gold4x4

Yes, car is running but totally stopped when it happens? The regular shifter is in N and when the 4x4 shifter is shifted into L or H it vibrates and makes a grinding noise until it goes into gear. One Lexus mechanic said that is normal because some of the gears are still slightly turning even when the regular shifter is in N and the 4x4 shifter is shifted into L or H. He agreed with what the private transmission shop mechanic explained.

NTH

IIRC, the manual says you should shift into L or H at a slow roll. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

mustangpro

All of my past Jeeps would shift between H/L much smoother while moving at a slow walking pace. I'm sure it applies to our GX as well. No worries.

chiph9

The gears aren't synchronized, so you will hear/feel a little bit of a crunch when shifting.

I have had the center diff refuse to unlock unless I rolled forward some to relieve the torque.

Chip H.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

Yes the GX/Prado has a real shift lever going directly into the transfer case, that is what it feels like and usually you have to be rolling a little bit cause at certain spots it wont switch from hi to low easily, that is the resistance you are feeling.

the person who said no, stop taking your car there. they can't tell the difference between a real lever and the electronic version, which also has resistance but since its electronic you dont feel it but the light will blink at you till you move forward or back some where it will "slide" into the right position.

so in our car's you are the blinking light, which means you put a little pressure on the shifter and as you roll forward it goes into the next position with ease. it will only go in at a stop when the gears are perfectly lined up, which is not that often but it can happen at a stop also but usually takes more force on the lever and don't have your foot on the brake at the same time it just makes it harder cause it wont let the gears move the little bit it needs to align.

470SNC

With my old FJC, you would stop, put it in park and shift into 4lo. I guess with the GX is a little different with all time 4wd. So while rolling, you put the transmission in neutral and then shift to 4lo? I've done it in neutral at a stop and it's shifted into 4lo fine but if rolling is the suggested method, I will have to do that next time.

Gold4x4

Thank everyone who responded. Your comments and suggestions are very appreciated and I feel more confident knowing the explanations and solutions. I'm new to Clublexus and am very glad to be part of the group.

chiph9

You want to be rolling at only 1-2 mph to give the gears a chance to mesh. No faster (since, no synchronizers)

Chip H.

IanB2

I'm sure Toyota's manuals will list the same procedure for the GX as the FJC for shifting the TC.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

Normally you do it in neutral and let off the brake so the wheels can move some as it synchronizes up, but if you are on perfectly flat area so car isn't moving and you feel a bunch of resistance, then try a slight roll like you do for center lock. don't do it while moving fast that is a bad idea, Chip is correct.

NR04

This is the first time I heard of switching transfer case gears while rolling. Anybody know if this is recommended method by Toyota/Lexus? I think I read the truck needs to be dead stop in neutral.

Try avoid switching transfer gears when the vehicle is on pavement. In almost every case, my truck will make a grinding noise when changing gears on pavement. It never makes a noise when you're on dirt. My guess is that the wheels can move slightly while engaging the gear for smoother operation.

chiph9

Not so much rolling, so much as "slightly moving" to allow the teeth to mesh more easily. Put the gear selector in neutral, be slightly moving, move the range lever.

Chip H.

Lexusfixer

What does your owners manual say to do? I would read it and do that.