John Deere 4500 PRT 4WD engagement issue, noise

[garrettjdg]

Hi I have a JD 4500 4WD that is difficult to disengage, but lately now it has a growl in the rear diff area, but not a steady growl, more of a rythmic noise, only in 4wd, 4wd shift shaft has excessive play, bought a service manual, studied it, and think that I may have a broken roll pin for the shift cam or detent balls worn or broken spring, which would explain the play in the shaft, but trying to figure out what might be causing the growl, possibly a bad 4wd drive gear or the shift collar teeth are worn out i have inspected the front driveshaft, and dust tube, all looks o.k, without splitting the rear half of the tractor, has anyone seen this problem? Tractor has 2200 hrs on the clock, otherwise is in ok shape. Thanks in advance, Garrett.

 

[garrettjdg]

Well Everyone, I have solved my problem, after I pulled the drain plug on the transmission and discovered that it was full of metal, I traded this tractor in on a brand new Kubota MX5100. I think it was my best option, other than opening a can of worms at an unknown cost.