mtnbiker326

I have a 97 country with the np242. When I stop... fully engage the "full time" 4x4 HI, I get 4x4. But when I turn I get alot of shudder from the wheels and then if I keep turning tight, I get a loud "thud" sound from either the T-Case or the rear end.

My question is, could my "full-time" only be running part time? This truck has been serviced its whole life by the dealer before I bought it last month. 107k one owner 100% stock no changes or messings with drive trainwise and all documentation.

Any thoughts?

R Cannon

Check Ujoints. you may get lucky? My np242 has issues with disengaging. When in doubt I always back up 30-40 feet, even after the ligh finaly goes out. No noises "yet".

wolfepack215

even though the NP242 is part time and can be used on all surfaces, it is still going to react as all 4wd's do when making turns.... its not in the T-case but in the front axle joints, if you turn too tightly you will get binding when in 4wd. if you are making tight turns, disengage it.

buckshot500

My first thought is binding too, & the thud is one wheel slipping/hopping to release the tension. In other words it sounds normal for hard ground/pavement.

4.3L XJ

When the fluid coupling gets old and worn out, it quits acting like a fluid coupling and gets very stiff and acts almost like a 231 tcase. Then it will give you binding issues in sharp turns. It just needs to be replaced. The only other option is that your linkage is not adjusted correctly.