I have a '91 Cherokee, Command-Trac. 4wd worked great last winter. Had our first snow recently, and the roads around town were icy/snowy, so put it in 4H. Seemed to shift into 4H fine, but whenever I decelerate while in 4wd, I get a clunking noise that varies in speed with the varying speed of the vehicle. It almost sounds like it's one clunk per revolution. Seems to be on the driver's side front, and is a substantial enough clunk that I can feel it in the vehicle (the side mirror even bumps a little each time it clunks). There is no noise or clunking when accelerating -- only when decelerating. When I shifted back into 2wd, the noise was gone. This noise wasn't there the last time I used it. Just happened this morning for the first time, so haven't had a chance to get under and look. It definitely seems like it's a driveline issue -- wheel, axle, etc., since the noise varies with the vehicle speed.

Any ideas, or similar experiences?

 

the issue i have had is it not wanting to disengage 4wd fully. stopping, and ****fing thru P back to D works.. or N. have you tried engaging and disengaging it while in P?
NP242 w/ AW4

 

I should have mentioned, this is a 5-speed manual. But yes, I did try disengaging 4H and going back to 2, and also going to 4L first, then back to 4H, while in neutral, and also while in 1st gear with the clutch engaged. The 4wd light doesn't work, so it's hard to know whether it's engaged unless I'm moving.

EDIT:

And the noise happens while I'm in 4wd, driving in a straight line but decelerating. It goes away when accelerating.

Maybe just a u-joint or something?

 

Nothing?

 

Update:

When I drove the Cherokee in this morning, I shifted to 4WD while going slowly (15 mph or so). I could tell it hadn't shifted in for about a block, but then there was a clunk (like the ones I got last week), and it was suddenly in 4HI. No more clunking. Last Friday was the first time the 4wd had been engaged for 6 mos. or so (since last snow). I'm wondering if a u-joint or something else in the front axle was a little "frozen." Anyone experience this before? Any ideas?

Semi-related topic... A local dealer has a 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo (I6 4.0, Automatic), 4wd, with 116k miles for $7k. Thoughts on the reliability of those vehicles? I know they have issues with window motors, and frankly, little stuff like that doesn't bother me, if I can fix it myself with a $50 part (or, even better, just ignore the problem), but I'm wondering about the reliability of the 4.0s in those cars (same as in XJs?), and the reliability of the Selec-Trac system. My XJ needs new tires, new windshield, and has 212k miles, so I'm thinking maybe I should stop throwing good money after bad and buy a newer vehicle, but wonder how much of an improvement the GC would be...?

 

well the 4.0 is a 4.0, they didnt make different 4.0 engines. For 7g that sounds pretty steep. people are having a tough time giving away grand cherokees around the country

But the clunking could be a ujoint or something like that.

 

6 of one half a dozen of another. Same motor, so both are reliable.

It could've been a U joint or something, but usually parts dont' heal themselves.

Don't be surprised if it comes back. If it does look at bushings as well.

 

The market still seems to be pretty strong around here for all SUVs and trucks. There's a real need here with the snow and logging roads, so I think that makes the difference. That price is consistent with, if not lower than what I've seen for similar vehicles in this area. If someone is having a hard time giving one away, they can send it my way....

 

Thanks. I'll keep an eye (and ear) on it. The only thing I could think is that maybe something in the hub itself, or maybe a joint, had sort of rusted stuck with not being used since the last snow, so that the actuator couldn't get it locked into 4.

 

Do yourself a favor and run her in 4wd every few weeks, even in off season. Don't drive down curvy roads or anything, but if you are driving down your block at a slow pace, drop it in 4 to keep things moving.

 

Will do. Seems to be working fine for now.

 

Sounds like ujoint. Thats the first I'd check. Change both if it is.