loyd198

I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4wd. I am having a problem with it when the 4wd is engaged. While driving down the road in hi or low 4wd, it makes a popping sound and jerks a bit at the same time, while driving at a steady speed or accelerating. If I take my foot off the gas or slow down it stops or if I take it out of 4wd it does fine. This morning it was fine driving it to work..it started doing this on the way home. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this problem ?

mike37

are you on pavement or dirt road

9XJSPORT7

Front U-Joints maybe?

xjrev10

I agree it might be the front u-joints. Check your t-case fluid also.

mike37

and what transfer case do you have

loyd198

It does it on pavement and on dirt road. It's the standard transfer case..not the command trac..if that helps...automatic transmission also.

mike37

if you don't have a full time 4x4 position you should not be using it on pavement and don't use 4L on pavement

kamokid

he might have to, not sure where he lives but he migh be up in the snow where he is going to have to use it.. Being on pavement doest effect it anyway.. 4 low will put it in loe and it wont be as easy to steer, but i don think it will help or hurt anything

xjrev10

The transfer case NP242 has a full time position that can be used on any road conditions-wet or dry-all the time. Its a 30-70 torque split. Also you have the part time mode that is 50-50 torque split. It is hard on everything if you use "part time" on dry pavement. 4L should never be used anytime on the road. A 242 has part-time, full time, neutral and 4L in that order and a 231 has part time, neutral, and 4L in that order. Hope that helps to id your t-case.

loyd198

Ok guys..I have the 231 transfer case and I DO NOT use the 4wd high or low range on dry pavement!!! Trust me I know better..my jeep has 201000 miles on it and I USE IT !! However..we have about 10 inches of snow here and 2 inches of ice..so I have been using the 4wd high on the road ..or should I say where the road should be ! Anyways..it was working fine this morning going to work..no noise at all. When I left work in 4wd high..it started making the popping sound and jerking slightly. It stops immediately if you let off the gas or put in in 2wd mode. It almost sounds like its trying to disengage from 4wd while going down the road. Yeah..I'm a girl but my dad taught me just a few things about Jeeps..since he has had them since 1972. And before you ask..nope..not a dumb blonde !

mike37

OK
thats what we need to know
first check your tire pressure if they are way different then it could make it want to bind
the snow ifits paced down could be like pavment at times not leting
the front and rear slip

check u joints in the drive shafts and front axle
check the fluid in the front and rear diffs

kamokid

right away you said when driving on the road in 4 wheel hi or low.. youre not supposed to drive it in 4 lo on the road. Only drive it in 4 wd if you have FULL TIME 4WD other than that use it when you need it

cherokee4meplz

the term "road" is a much different word in florida vs Indiana this time of year. At any given time there could be 5-6" of fresh snow on the streets.

loyd198

Thanks guys for the info ! I will have the u joints checked and the fluids also. Yes..the roads here are quite different than Florida. Right now we have 10 inches of snow on top of 3 inches of ice on the road ! Needless to say it has been quite interesting driving lately ! I'm just glad I have a Jeep to get me around. Still having the same problem..so I haven't been using the 4wd any more than I have to . Thanks alot from the Blondie !

redmuck

your front axle might be engaging and disengaging. mine did that a couple of times. check the front vacuum engager on the axle for anything that dont look right.