2010 Tundra 4Hi light

I got the 4Hi blinking light with no 4WD engagement. Initially took to mechanic and quoted 4 grand to drop transfer case and replace actuator and front ADD. Read multiple post and watched videos and opened transfer case actuator to find corroded stuck motor and gears. Cleaned up and tested motor and assured timing. There was no sound before w 4WD switch but now I hear the actuator motor but still not engaging. I replaced front diff actuator and still not working. 4Hi light blinks, I hear transfer case actuator engaging then disengaging. I took transfer case actuator back off and manually moved rod in and out which seemed stuck and had to use a flat head screwdriver in teeth to slide out. Put back together and 4WD engaged several times then stopped working. I repeated w rod but not working at all. Should the 4Hi rod slide in and out easily or what would cause it to be stuck.. plenty of grease and no damage to teeth noted.

 

So I escaped the 4 grand fix and figured out what was going on. I kept looking at the timing mechanism but then went back to the rod. Initially I pushed the rod all the way in and set the timing mechanism to 2wd. I finally pulled the rod all the way out and set the timing mechanism to 4WD by turning the key on with the switch on 4WD ensuring the rod and gear were synchronized. That was it.