2001 Ram 2500 with 1500 axles (Do I even need to say that anymore ) and I have a problem (I think) with my 4wd. I have to move about 10ft before the 4wd light comes on. Turning the wheels doesn't engage it. Is this normal? My other 2nd gens seem to engage quicker. My old truck I sold I converted the vacuum CAD to an electric CAD (like the 3rd gen 1500s). Can anybody weigh in on this? I had the whole passenger axle assembly out a few months ago to do the axle seal and nothing was wrong. (Teeth weren't twisted or anything).

 

Check the amount of vac at the cad, Weaker amounts will take longer.

 

Were the bushings worn? Burrs on the axle splines, or inside the collar? Low vacuum, as said, is a good possibility too. The steel lines like to rust, and leak. (or, fill with moisture, and freeze......)

 

Bushings (only bushing I saw was at the axle end were the nipple from the intermediate shaft goes in and some was missing) weren't worn, no burrs (I always check that), and I have 22in-hg at the cad. The steel lines were replaced with brake line and rubber vacuum line as I have nothing for 4wd lines when I bought it. CAD was rebuild and the bearings spun freely and looked fine. They weren't starving for oil or from to much weight.

 

I would like to think you replaced that bushing?

I think the other one is the support for the intermediate shaft. Some actually have a bearing there, others, just a nylon bushing. If that one is sloppy, the axles will be misaligned a bit, and that will delay engagement.

 

I did replace it I checked everything and it all was good. I always thought this was normal as the silliness would have to align. Which means the tires would have to move. I do know I have wild vents when I go up a hill or when I'm going over a certain speed. As my vacuum gauge drops to about 5in-hg. But I did this at idle where vacuum was at 25in-hg

 

Everything does have to line up for the collar to slide over, generally, just rocking the steering wheel a little bit should do the trick......

 

I tried lock to lock with no success. I wish I could stick an ant in there with a night vision camera so I could see what's going on

 

Did you check it in both 2WD and 4WD? You could remove the cad and see if you can engage the axle by hand. Then test the cad to see if it has enough power to move it.

 

For cheap you can permanently lock the CAD and not have any more issues, or you can convert to the Posi Lok cable actuator. I would never want to rely on a vacuum system for my 4x4 to work.