Hi. I have an 01 Cherokee XJ and am having some issues with my four wheel drive that's causing headaches. I had to change my transfer case chain because it stretched and was rubbing on the casing and making a terrible noise. The rear output seal leaked and it ran low on oil. I took it apart and checked all the bearings and cogs and everything seemed fine. I changed the chain, rear seal, and added ATF fluid and put it back together. There are no noises now, and it runs great in 2wd, but it won't shift into 4wd at all. It's the 242 select-trac transfer case with the 4.0 liter and automatic trans. All the correct indicator lights turn on when I put it into part time, 4-hi, and 4-low, but the front wheels don't turn on any of them. The lever actuates normal, and there are no grinding noises when I change it. I checked the linkage, and it seems fine. There are no vacuum hoses (that I know of) running to the axles for my year of Cherokee. When I move the lever into 4-part time or 4-hi, nothing happens. When I move it to 4-low, nothing happens except it gears down into low, but still no 4wd. My front diff is fine and turns the front driveline when moving. I'm stumped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Doesn't sound like linkage is loose, normally that causes noises and such.. Idk man.. I don't wanna say it needs to be opened up yet.. There's something else to check, I'm sure...

 

The only weird noise it makes is when it's in 4 low and I shift it from reverse into park. It makes a split second grind and then goes away. My 4wd worked great before I changed the chain. The rear output shaft seal was a pain in the a$$ to get too. All the auto parts stores only had 231 transfer case seals.

 

Is tension on chain accurate?

 

It should be. It was brand new and tight (but not too tight) so it didn't rub the casing.

 

I'm wondering if it could be from the little pads that are on the shifter fork. When I look at the microfiche of the transfer case, I remembered that they weren't there. Could this be an issue? I wasn't sure if it would matter or not....

 

Hi hate too say it, but it sounds like you will be dropping and splitting the case again. It sounds like there is something going on with either the mode shift fork, or the gear that locks in the 4WD Full time & 4WD Part time into the Differential Assembly is not fully in-gauging. Or something happened to the chain when you put it all back together, but i really cant see that happening, there is really no room for error in the case, if the chain was whacked, the back half of the case would not have wanted to go back together.

I just went thru a similar problem on my 242 T case, check out this thread i posted up. If you have any question, shoot m a PM...

Rick

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/suc...g-4-lo-120724/