I have a 99 Cherokee I'm pretty sure the front axle is stuck in 4wd. I jacked it up spun one of the tires and the other didn't spin but the front drive shaft did. The fluid level is good but it's black and not that old. My tires squeal when turning and when I hit the lines in the road burning more fuel then usual. I can hear the transfer case shift out of 4wd. Not sure what is going on. Planning to pull the cover tomorrow. What inside the front axle makes it engage into 4wd? I'm thinking my diff is blown

 

You got lots to learn young grass hoppa.

Axle doesn't engage the 4wd, transfer case does.

Is this your dd or second vehicle? If its a secondary vehicle, if suggest taking the time to read and search, never seems to be enough of this here or other places. Do yourself a favor and read and learn about your jeep. It'll help you get a better idea whats going on and when someone here explains something, you'll understand it better.

 

I know the transfer case engages 4wd. What in the axle makes it lock up. Or is it always engaged. It's my daily driver.

 

 

There is nothing wrong with your Jeep. They didn't put axle disconnects on XJ's since the early 90's. Yours has a solid shaft there. Everything is engaged and turning, which include the driveshaft. This is normal.

 

Thanks for clearing up my confusion. I thought there was something that also engaged in the front axle similar to the vacuum actuated axles. I'm expecting to see my spider gears are trashed when I take the cover off.... sure doesn't sound or feel/drive like everything is fine

 

Your front axles turning at all time even in 2wd, go off road and shift to 4h and see if you feel any difference in driving characteristics . From 2h to 4h.

 

Everything you need to know ......

 

If anything your front brakes are probably screwed up.