Dorman shift fork

[Kick'n Dust]

Well just figured out while putting my transfer case back together why the Dorman shift fork seemed odd. After a very close inspection I found that the brand new Dorman shift fork is warped. Looks like a bad heat treat? No witness marks from any kind of impact or force. Strange that I'm the only one I've heard of having this problem. Anyone else get a defective Dorman shift fork?

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[08H3]

Rule #1: Never trust a Dorman part other than maybe a replacement window crank. That had been a longstanding rule of mine. I violated it once with a set of UCA. Both failed within 20K.

 

[Kick'n Dust]

Rule #1: Never trust a Dorman part other than maybe a replacement window crank. That had been a longstanding rule of mine. I violated it once with a set of UCA. Both failed within 20K.

Yeah Dorman isn't exactly high end parts, but every post I found on transfer case shift issues has someone saying they put the Dorman shift fork in with no complaints. Maybe others just didn't look as hard as I did or I got the one bad part ever made?

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[Kick'n Dust]

So picked up another Dorman shift fork at lunch and it was warped also. Another issue I have with the Dorman fork is it's rough casting where the collar spins on it while the vehicle is being driven. Just in my bench testing the aluminum fork was becoming polished at these contact points. Polishing creates metal debris and I would rather not have a non-ferrous material moving around inside my transfer case. The magnet won't attract the aluminum. I'm going to say the hell with the Dorman shift fork and order the oem plastic fork. By the time the plastic fork wears out I'll be putting an Atlas transfer case in anyhow. Those are my thoughts...

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[4speedfunk]

Or you could order the GM alum fork.

I'll take alum debris over steel anytime. Alum gets ground into dust while steel takes teeth off gears.


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[Reloader]

Don't think you can get plastic fork from GM. Only aluminum ones. GM 19180438 $17.28 jobber.

 

[Kick'n Dust]

Or you could order the GM alum fork.

I'll take alum debris over steel anytime. Alum gets ground into dust while steel takes teeth off gears.


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The Dorman fork is aluminum, just a rough sand cast.

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[Kick'n Dust]

Don't think you can get plastic fork from GM. Only aluminum ones. GM 19180438 $17.28 jobber.

You are right. GM now offers it only in aluminum to my surprise. Much nicer part than the Dorman. Smooth finish and fit like it is supposed to unlike the Dorman.

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[Kick'n Dust]

I have another issue... The fork does not move far enough up the main shaft when it engages into four wheel lock for my comfort. I'm only getting approximately 33% of engagement. I'm off to the hardware store right now to see if I can come up with a solution. I'll post pictures tomorrow when I'm back at work where my transfer case is.

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[jimmy p]

I just found the same issue with the dorman part, glad to see I wasn't the only one, thought I did something wrong.