4WD Wont Disengage Properly
I like it in the dirt
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 1
From: Alberta Canada
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My '98 XJ Sport does that too. At low speeds (like when coming to a stop) on smooth roads, the Jeep "bounces" up and down, and "sways" from side to side. Also there is considerable tire where. I have yet to find the cause. I am also hearing a vacuum leak (while inside the jeep). I've tried to pinpoint the leak but haven't yet. Am I even looking in the right direction or does the 4wd disengage electronically. I need to find a vacuum routing diagram... I put a Pro-Comp 3" lift on it, with 31x10.5 tires, changed the ball joints and ordered tie rod ends, also need to install the Tcase drop parts.
I have the same issues. However I do not agree that the best way to disengage is to go in reverse. Having to do so in not part of the "normal" operation. The T-Case is supposed to be able to go in and out on the fly.
Here is a scenario which is quite frequent around my parts. The State does a decent job of plowing the Highways. Various towns and municipalities do not. I will be in 4PT on a side road and pull out onto 22. Now 22 will be clean pavement and since it is a highway, its speed is 55MPH. If I am in 4PT, I cannot drive on it at those speeds. I need to transfer back to 2W. However, I have a line of cars behind me. I do not that luxury of stopping and putting it in reverse.
We all know many ways to baby our trucks to "make" them work, but that does not mean they are indeed working as they should! If the T-Case is not shifting in and out as it is supposed, something is wrong.
Now for mine, I have a 242 without the vacuum. I am just swapping out the T-Case and hoping that solves it. If not, I will have to keep looking.
Crazy thing is, you would think somebody has already gone through this problem and has a solution!
Here is a scenario which is quite frequent around my parts. The State does a decent job of plowing the Highways. Various towns and municipalities do not. I will be in 4PT on a side road and pull out onto 22. Now 22 will be clean pavement and since it is a highway, its speed is 55MPH. If I am in 4PT, I cannot drive on it at those speeds. I need to transfer back to 2W. However, I have a line of cars behind me. I do not that luxury of stopping and putting it in reverse.
We all know many ways to baby our trucks to "make" them work, but that does not mean they are indeed working as they should! If the T-Case is not shifting in and out as it is supposed, something is wrong.
Now for mine, I have a 242 without the vacuum. I am just swapping out the T-Case and hoping that solves it. If not, I will have to keep looking.
Crazy thing is, you would think somebody has already gone through this problem and has a solution!
Edit: read the manual for an 88 and it backs my theory of slippage.
Last edited by itsanxjthing; Jan 13, 2010 at 04:11 PM. Reason: I did some checking
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Your 88 manual may back up your theory, but my 94 says nothing of the sort. Besides my 242 is designed with 4FT that can be used on any surface, even dry pavement. My old 2000 XJ could shift in and out on dry pavement.
However, I think you did hit on something, slippage. I took my heep onto the side of the road where it was a bit mushy. I was able to shift in and out easier. So there IS something to slippage.
That makes me think there must be something in the front end or T-Case that allows for enough slippage for it shift on clean surfaces. Whatever it is must be broke.
Any ideas?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Walton, Indiana
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Mine seems to disengage more freely on a lose surface also. But, crap, most of the time I disengage after I'm through the deep snow & am on semi dry pavement to ensure I won't get stuck. I shift it the same way I did my '98 TJ (5 speed) & never had this issue w it.
I like it in the dirt
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 1
From: Alberta Canada
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If I put it back into 2w while on slick and icy side streets, I would never make it to the highway!
Your 88 manual may back up your theory, but my 94 says nothing of the sort. Besides my 242 is designed with 4FT that can be used on any surface, even dry pavement. My old 2000 XJ could shift in and out on dry pavement.
However, I think you did hit on something, slippage. I took my heep onto the side of the road where it was a bit mushy. I was able to shift in and out easier. So there IS something to slippage.
That makes me think there must be something in the front end or T-Case that allows for enough slippage for it shift on clean surfaces. Whatever it is must be broke.
Any ideas?
Your 88 manual may back up your theory, but my 94 says nothing of the sort. Besides my 242 is designed with 4FT that can be used on any surface, even dry pavement. My old 2000 XJ could shift in and out on dry pavement.
However, I think you did hit on something, slippage. I took my heep onto the side of the road where it was a bit mushy. I was able to shift in and out easier. So there IS something to slippage.
That makes me think there must be something in the front end or T-Case that allows for enough slippage for it shift on clean surfaces. Whatever it is must be broke.
Any ideas?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
On my jeep I think its something to do with the front tyres being a different model to the rears - they have a much more knobbly tread and possibly a slightly great rolling radius.
Shifting in neutral at standstill is perfect every time so I reckon there's a little winding up going on.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Norco CA.
Year: 1991 XJ SPORT 2 DR.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 600 HP
i would start looking into the TC. The movement from 4wd to 2wd
is made by spring action(not the hand lever) moving the shift fork
forward. if there is some thing wrong in that action it would hang up.
is made by spring action(not the hand lever) moving the shift fork
forward. if there is some thing wrong in that action it would hang up.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you re-read what you quoted, you will see I didn't say snow. I said, "...slick and icy side streets..."
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 4
From: 25 Miles From Moab!
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i would start looking into the TC. The movement from 4wd to 2wd
is made by spring action(not the hand lever) moving the shift fork
forward. if there is some thing wrong in that action it would hang up.
is made by spring action(not the hand lever) moving the shift fork
forward. if there is some thing wrong in that action it would hang up.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 5
Year: 1988 limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 litre
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Elkview WV
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4Liter HO
The big three, burping the throttle, neutral, and reverse. One of those three will generally work every time. Having owned four 242 equipped XJ's, I've certainly experienced this problem. I realize you have a 231 but the 242 is notorious for this disengagement problem. You can adjust that linkage all you want but its not gonna cure the problem. The spring is wore out or gummed up so nothing short of gettin in there is gonna make it function like you're used to.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 5
Year: 1988 limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 litre
The big three, burping the throttle, neutral, and reverse. One of those three will generally work every time. Having owned four 242 equipped XJ's, I've certainly experienced this problem. I realize you have a 231 but the 242 is notorious for this disengagement problem. You can adjust that linkage all you want but its not gonna cure the problem. The spring is wore out or gummed up so nothing short of gettin in there is gonna make it function like you're used to.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Right, getting the t/case oil changed today - maybe that'll shift some gunk. If not it'll have to go on the "too difficult" spike until summer!
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Inside the 231 T-Case there is only ONE, and it look much easier to replace. The fork assembly sits on top of the spring:
Looking at this I can see where if the springs are not functional that it could make it difficult to disengage the gears!
Now does anybody know the Part #'s!?
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 4
From: 25 Miles From Moab!
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The big three, burping the throttle, neutral, and reverse. One of those three will generally work every time. Having owned four 242 equipped XJ's, I've certainly experienced this problem. I realize you have a 231 but the 242 is notorious for this disengagement problem. You can adjust that linkage all you want but its not gonna cure the problem. The spring is wore out or gummed up so nothing short of gettin in there is gonna make it function like you're used to.
amen
amen
Looking at this I can see where if the springs are not functional that it could make it difficult to disengage the gears!
Now does anybody know the Part #'s!?
Now does anybody know the Part #'s!?