Ive been shopping around the state for a new Cherokee ( totaled my 98 xj a week ago) and found a nice 1996 Cherokee country. after test driving it and talking with the owner i found that when in 4wd there a growling noise. the owner told me that it had been doing that since he got it and that it hasn't caused any major problems yet. im here to ask if its going to cause and huge problems later on or is there a simple fix. also in order to disengage from 4wd to 2wd you have to bump it into reverse as the owner told me and i found out for myself.

thanks in advance for any help

 

a growling noise usually means that a bearing is going out. if it does it only in 4wd, i would guess that it would be in the t-case.

zedpapa

 

Easy to fix or will? or will it require some time to replace the bearing?

 

depends on your ability. also, what are your future plans for the jeep? lifting any time soon? if so you may want to consider doing a SYE at the same time to save some time and money. i have not rebuilt a t-case yet, but i have have looked over the procedure. doesn't look overly difficult, easier than an engine or manual trans, but you better know what you are doing. i think the hardest part would be getting the front yoke nut off. after that its just bolts and snap-rings.

i would make sure that that is your problem before you go diving in. either a shop or someone you trust.

zedpapa

 

I failed to mention it, it already has a 4.5 inch rough country lift on it. the current owner told me he had it "professionally" installed at a local shop


upon some research my guess is a SYE kit might be a good way to go, ill check with the owner tomorrow and see if anything has been done with the t-case since the lift was installed