I have a 98 auto ram with a 5.9 When I move the transfer case shifter it doesnt move very far and it doesnt go into 4wd or neutral it moves front and back about 6 inches or so and it stays in 2wd no noises or anything does anyone know what is causing this

 

Get under the truck and look at the linkage. Sounds like it is broke or disconnected some where. Have someone in the truck move it so you can see it.(without it running, and E brake on in Park)Safety first!

 

I checked the linkage it looks good. The part of the linkage that attaches to the transfer case has a nut on the end and the nut moves with the tab is this normal. Also could it be the vaccum switch if so how hard is that to replace.

 

When you said it moves 6 inches I was assuming that you meant freely(as in very easy and doing nothing) But yes check the vacuum hoses going to the CAD.

 

I wasnt sure how far the shifter was supposed to move because I just got the truck. I took the vacuum hoses off the front axle and the part it connected to was all rusty. I stuck a piece of wire down the holes and one was open and one was clogged. So I ordered a new motor for it I hope that fixes it because it was 90 bucks

 

If you have a vacuum gauge you can check the vac at each of those hoses, one will have vac in 2 wheel and the other none, and vice versa in 4 wheel. That could still be the prob not the vac motor. Of course you might need a new motor any now, since you stuck a wire in it, you may have punctured the diaphragm.

 

i changed the vacuum motor and now it will be in 2wd and if i hit the gas half way hard it will make a grinding sound it went into neutral once but usually wont and wont go in 4 low i think it went in low range one time but it was 2 wheel. I can shift between 2 hi and 4 hi and it doesnt go into 4 wheel it just grinds once in a while and the 4wd light comes on in 2 hi after a minute or so

 

Is there any grease leaking out of the tube by the ujoint by any chance?

 

no, no leaks, i figured out the vacuum lines were backwards now it goes in 4 hi but I think 4 lo just stays in 4 hi. Also when it is in 2 hi and I give it gas the transfer case grinds and i can feel it in the shifter.

 

Drain the fluid in the transfer case and inspect it. Also I would pull the CAD out and make sure the intermediate shaft bushing is not loose, and there is a black composite bushing that goes in the end of the outer shaft where it connects to the inner one. There is also the vacuum switch on the transfer case where the hoses connect to. It can be removed and cleaned. The grinding is not good, but that could be just because it's not engaging all the way.