Mine is 95 ,so probably pointless saying what my problem was.
It would only go in about half the time,then wouldn't go in at all.
Long story short.
Had to tear the passenger side axel out,in differential.
There was a slide gear in there. A gear that slides over when you hit 4 wheel. Ended up replacing some washers,seal,lock key.
Then it was still not going in all the time. Found a broken wire on that sensor,on transfer case.