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front axle disconnect questions

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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 01:23 PM
  #1  
Dan_Man's Avatar
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From: tracy ca
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
Default front axle disconnect questions

ok so i just got a 88 xj and when i was test driving it i found the t case was trash so i ordered a new one but now the front axle is stuck and wont disconnect is there something i can do to temporarily disconnect the the front axle until i can replace it
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 01:32 PM
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From: High Desert, CA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
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Stuck as in how? The front driveshaft always has power?
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 01:43 PM
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From: tracy ca
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
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well when i have the front in the air and turn the wheel the front drive shaft turns witch it shouldn't right because it should get disconnected right
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 01:48 PM
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From: Centeral Valley CA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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You can pop the vacume pod off and just slide the collar over dissengaging the front axle. I just put a solid shaft in mine so its always turning.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 01:55 PM
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From: High Desert, CA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
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The front driveshaft can turn at the transfer case and not be engaged internally which is fine. If the front driveshaft is turning and the rear wheel are on the ground then it's disengaged inside the transfer case. Put the lever in 4 and try to turn the wheels. You should not be able to turn the front driveshaft because it is now locked with the rear driveshaft.


However, you do have a vacuum disconnect on the front axle that disconnects the passenger front axle from the diff. With that disconnected you could turn the front wheels in 4wd and the front driveshaft will not turn. Most people permanently lock that vacuum disconnect in the engaged position because it is a point of failure. Yours may already be like that. Later models didn't include the vacuum disconnect and the front driveshaft always turns.

Last edited by JeepDeep; Apr 23, 2012 at 01:58 PM.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 02:25 PM
  #6  
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From: tracy ca
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
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ok so i lifted the front end off the ground and in 2hi the front shaft spins no matter what wheel i spin and in 4hi it still spins but i can hear a clicking from the t-case which i know is bad so it seams that the disconnect is not disconnecting so will that cause my new t-case to go bad having that baring spinning all the time
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 03:46 PM
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From: London Ontario Canada
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Your axles will turn the ring and pinion which will turn the drive shaft. We do not have axle quick disconnects. If your wheels are turning your driveshaft will too. The transfer case chain will turn also but will not be engaged with the transmission.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 04:21 PM
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From: High Desert, CA
Year: 1987
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Engine: I6
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Put it in 4 and back up and down your driveway once then lift the front and see if you can turn the front driveshaft. The t case does not always engage when you're at a stop.
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 04:53 PM
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
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Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
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sounds like the vacum switch is stuck its right next to your speedo cable has the plug with 4 tubes going to it pull the plug remove switch it just unscrews see if the little ball moves freely...http://www.jeep4x4center.com/vacuum-...-53001101.html
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 06:51 PM
  #10  
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From: tracy ca
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
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Originally Posted by freegdr
sounds like the vacum switch is stuck its right next to your speedo cable has the plug with 4 tubes going to it pull the plug remove switch it just unscrews see if the little ball moves freely...http://www.jeep4x4center.com/vacuum-...-53001101.html

thanks freegdr you were right that vac switch is stuck
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